Data and Dimensions

The games industry hit a record $201.3 billion in software and services revenue in 2025, but the growth rate is a shadow of its pre-pandemic heyday. Publishers are hunting for the next big growth story. In this episode, Neil Barbour joins colleague and fellow gamer Eiman Hussain to list the 10 console and PC games that will shape 2026's commercial momentum and creative direction, from prestige reboots to platform-defining blockbusters. Key topics include: ·  Why Grand Theft Auto VI (Rockstar Games / Take-Two Interactive) is the industry's gravitational center and how console price hikes could affect the post-launch hardware bump. Microsoft's big bet on Playground Games with both Fable and Forza Horizon 6, plus what multi-platform strategy could mean for the launch window. Sony's 2026 pipeline — Marathon (Bungie), Saros (Housemarque) and Wolverine (Insomniac Games) — and what separates cult prestige from true system-sellers Early signals on 2026's first-quarter standout, Resident Evil Requiem (Capcom) Dark horses and honorable mentions, such as Out of Words (Kong Orange & WireFly) riding the couch co-op wave and ZA/UM's Zero Parades for Dead Spies following in Disco Elysium's footsteps. More S&P Global Content: Roblox pushes lawmakers to coordinate child safety across platforms Startups aim to improve AR visualization tools for the future of AI Private equity investment in video games falls as investors shift focus For S&P Global subscribers (login required): Video gaming content revenue finally pushes past $200B in 2025 Video game fundraising hits multiyear low in Q1 2026 Microsoft's next Xbox poised to take console gaming wars to the PC Credits: Host: Neil Barbour Guest: Eiman Hussain Produced & Edited By: Neil Barbour Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Patrick Moroney

Visual positioning technologies are everywhere, quietly powering advancements in disaster response, autonomous vehicles and precision geolocation. And it all started with a Snorlax. In this episode, Neil Barbour talks with Brian McClendon, CTO at Niantic Spatial, about how data collected from Pokémon Go plays a major role in reshaping the way machines and people interact with the real world. Key topics include:➤ Visual positioning systems moving beyond GPS for centimeter-level accuracy➤ How Pokémon Go's opt-in player scans enable high-precision mapping➤ Helping robots find their way around the real world and the potential for driverless cars➤ Gaussian splats, the next leap in 3D visualization   More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content: Hands are hard, but robots give physical AI high five at CES 2026 Startups aim to improve AR visualization tools for the future of AI Private equity investment in video games falls as investors shift focus   For S&P Global subscribers (login required): Video gaming content revenue finally pushes past $200B in 2025 Video game M&A Q1 2025: Aggregate valuation surges YOY on Pokemon Go deal Audio-based smart glasses find momentum with AI in 5-year forecast   Credits: Hosts: Neil Barbour Guest: Brian McClendon, CTO at Niantic Spatial. Produced & Edited By: Neil Barbour Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Patrick Moroney

Video games are everywhere, with a wide reach across various demographics, industries and modalities. In this episode, Neil Barbour talks with Stan Pierre-Louis, President and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, about gaming's often unexpected reach across demographics, industries and modalities. Even Pope Leo XIV recently revealed that he enjoyed playing Wordle with his brother. Our conversation explores how the ESA's new conference, The Interactive Innovation Conference (iicon), embraces gaming's influence on the broader business a media landscape, with a special focus on sports and esports as prime examples. Key topics include: -The ESA moving on from bright lights of E3- iicon's focus on the cross-industry impact of video games- Opportunities in a potentially saturated market- How video games and traditional sports work in concert - Esports' path forward in the US More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content: As the Esports World Cup Wraps, Kagan Looks at the Growing Potential of Competitive Gaming Sports rights in the US to reach $37 billion by 2030 Private equity investment in video games falls as investors shift focus For S&P Global subscribers (login required): Microsoft's next Xbox poised to take console gaming wars to the PC Video gaming content revenue finally pushes past $200B in 2025 Video game industry head count falls 3.5% in 2025 with AI waiting in the wings Credits: Hosts: Neil Barbour Guest: with Stan Pierre-Louis, President and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association Produced & Edited By: Neil Barbour Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Patrick Moroney  

In this episode, we talk with Matthew Ball, CEO of Epyllion, a venture and advisory firm. We discuss why gaming's tide keeps rising but is not necessarily lifting all boats. Key points include. Video gaming's uphill battle in the attention economy China's dominant role in the revenue opportunity Subscriptions in a saturated console gaming market The opportunity around Valve's most ardent fans And a tale of two gaming companies More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content: Video game M&A tracker Q3 2025: EA deal headlines largest quarter in 3 years | S&P Global MediaTalk | Season 4 | Ep. 2 - The New AI, Robots, TVs and Regulation Changing Consumer Tech | S&P Global As the Esports World Cup Wraps, Kagan Looks at the Growing Potential of Competitive Gaming | S&P Global For S&P Global subscribers (login required): Video game industry head count falls 3.5% in 2025 with AI waiting in the wings Video game fundraising Q4 2025: RPG operators lead stable quarter of investment Steam catalog 10x the size of PlayStation Store, but half the games go unnoticed Credits: Hosts: Neil Barbour Guest: with Matthew Ball, CEO of Epyllion. Produced & Edited By: Neil Barbour Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Patrick Moroney

In this episode, we talk with Nic Hill, co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Sawhorse and host of the Brands in Play podcast. Nic is at the front lines of connecting brands with interactive experiences. In the past year alone, his agency has brought How to Train Your Dragon to Roblox and Sinners to Fortnite. Join us as we discuss The impact of AI on the creative process Would you rather own a C3PO or an R2D2? The near future of smart glasses The role of avatars in consumers' online identity Finding the right fit and finish for e-commerce in virtual spaces   More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content: Hands are hard, but robots give physical AI high five at CES 2026 | S&P Global Not quite automatic: Decision optimization in the AI age is complex | S&P Global Media Quick Take: Netflix closes out 2025 on a strong note | S&P Global   For S&P Global subscribers (login required):  S&P Capital IQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Metaverse investment tracker Q4'25: Netflix buys in, physical AI builds up  S&P Capital IQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Brainrot mania sends Roblox revenue to new heights  S&P Capital IQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Apple product tracker 2025: iPhone shipments hit record high, surpass 2021 peak Credits: Hosts: Neil Barbour Guest: Nic Hill, co-founder and CIO of Sawhorse; host of Brands in Play podcast Produced & Edited By: Neil Barbour Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Patrick Moroney

In this episode, we discuss the emerging consumer metaverse with Sean Mann, CEO of RP1.  He sees the emergence of smart glasses as a key computing paradigm shift, connecting people with their environment with a way that isn't possible with current hardware. To respond to that changing dynamic, RP1 is building the "world's first 3D browser," offering relevant visual data to users as they move through physical space. To achieve that, RP1 links the real world to its digital twin and populates that twin with the data that retailers, restaurants, banks and other points of interest need to serve to patrons. Think about directions to product locations, stocking levels and nutritional information all served in low-friction, heads-up visualizations.    More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content: Are consumers ready for Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses? | S&P Global Startups aim to improve AR visualization tools for the future of AI | S&P Global Metaverse Digest: Generative AI interactive world-building accelerates | S&P Global   For S&P Global subscribers (login required): CIQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Metaverse Survey: Nearly half of consumers interested in buy… CIQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Metaverse forecast through 2029: Revenue opportunity set to … CIQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Metaverse Survey 2025: More consumers piling into virtual wo…   Credit: Hosts: Neil Barbour, Ian Hughes Guest: Sean Mann, CEO of RP1 Produced & Edited By: Neil Barbour Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Patrick Moroney

In this episode, we discuss the emerging industrial metaverse with one of the segment's foremost experts, our very own Ian Hughes. A digital twin can help train employees, allow robots to map out their workspace and give new dimension to operational data. Ian walks us through highlights from S&P Global Market Intelligence Worldwide Metaverse B2B Survey 2025, including adoption levels, top use cases and the potential return on investment. We also sift through the key challenges and points of friction among key stakeholders.   More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content: 451 Digital Industries Insider – August 2025 | S&P Global Metaverse Digest: A look at Augmented World Expo, Snap updates Lens Studio | S&P Global Next in Tech | Ep. 238: Industrial Metaverse | S&P Global   For S&P Global subscribers (login required): Industrial metaverse adoption grows – Highlights from Metaverse B2B survey Fujitsu's strategic shift emphasizes AI, modernization and global services Ask the Analyst: Can AI make work fun?   Credits: Hosts: Neil Barbour Guest: Ian Hughes Produced & Edited By: Neil Barbour Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Patrick Moroney

Meta recently scaled backs its commitment to the Quest ecosystem after struggling to build a durable, self-sustaining community in virtual reality.   We spoke with Wagner James Au, author of Making a Metaverse That Matters, to unpack why Meta struggled to grow in VR after a strong start and what those missteps can teach other builders in the space.   We also contrast Meta's experience with Roblox's explosive growth, exploring why user-generated platforms continue to scale while much of the games industry stalls, even while serious concerns remain around safety and security for younger players.   More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content: Electronic Arts acquisition is 2nd-largest video game deal on record | S&P Global Video game industry sheds jobs to protect margins | S&P Global Metaverse Digest: Generative AI interactive world-building accelerates | S&P Global   For S&P Global subscribers (login required): CIQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Brainrot mania sends Roblox revenue to new heights CIQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Kagan analyst embeds in Battlefield 6, the new hope for EA revenue growth CIQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Kagan analyst embeds in Battlefield 6, the new hope for EA revenue growth   Credits: Hosts: Neil Barbour, Ian Hughes Guest: Wagner James Au Edited By: Neil Barbour Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Patrick Moroney

Data & Dimensions is a podcast dedicated to exploring the transformative evolution of the internet into immersive 3D virtual spaces. Guided by S&P Global's coverage of the metaverse, where the tools and tech of video games shape the next phase of the internet into shared 3D virtual spaces, where humans and machines interact with one another and with data, enhancing and augmenting the physical world as much as replacing it. We delve into the multifaceted implications of this digital frontier for industry, enterprises, consumers and society in general.  

In the inaugural episode of Data & Dimensions, we discuss the next class of AR/VR headsets entering the market from Samsung and Apple and go in depth with Chris Parkinson, president of enterprise systems at Vuzix, about the future of smart glasses. XR hardware has evolved from a curiosity among gamers to an increasingly vital component in industrial and enterprise work. And now it may be headed back to consumers as a smart phone peripheral/replacement. Walk through the key use cases and underlying technology pushing forward the next big story in wearable computing.   More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content: Metaverse Digest: Generative AI interactive world-building accelerates | S&P Global Are consumers ready for Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses? | S&P Global 451 Digital Industries Insider – August 2025 | S&P Global   For S&P Global subscribers (login required): CIQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: S&P 500 companies no longer say 'metaverse' but underlyi… CIQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Apple product tracker Q3 2025: Product shipments growing des… CIQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Metaverse investment tracker Q3 2025: Ready for smart contac…   Credits: Hosts: Neil Barbour, Ian Hughes Guest: Chris Parkinson Edited By: Neil Barbour Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Patrick Moroney