An Investment Insider's Look at Gaming in 2026

GameStop's journey from retail to rogue trade and back again

In some ways, GameStop is the story of the suburbs, of being an idle teenager, of sifting through the bargain bin, of late night Call of Duty launch parties, of buying your first console and then selling it back a few years later. But it's also the story of the end of the shopping mall, the decline of physical media and the shifting center of power in the $200 billion gaming industry. Oh, and it's also the story of the rise of the retail investor? And maybe, it's the story of the future of shopping… although maybe not. Using reporting and analysis from S&P Global Market Intelligence, Neil Barbour walks through the long arc of GameStop's rise, decline and improbable afterlife. From the PlayStation 2 boom years to the 2021 short squeeze, to shrinking store counts and the company's recent $55.5 billion bid for eBay. Key topics include: ➤ GameStop grew from $757 million in revenue in 2000 to $8.8 billion in 2008, riding the success of hardware like the PlayStation 2 and games like Call of Duty. ➤ Broadband expansion, smartphone adoption, digital storefronts and platforms steadily undermined the physical retail model. ➤ The Reddit-fueled 2021 short squeeze upended Wall Street, rattled hedge funds and changed the conversation around short selling and retail traders. ➤ Ryan Cohen's arrival reshaped investor expectations around GameStop's e-commerce ambitions and capital strategy. More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content: Electronics Supply Chain Outlook | S&P Global [https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/research/2026/03/electronics-supply-chain-outlook] Video game profitability tracker: Positive, if precarious, margin trends in 2025 [https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/research/2026/04/video-game-profitability-tracker-positive-if-precarious-margin-trends-in-2025] Private equity investment in video games falls as investors shift focus [https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/articles/2026/3/private-equity-investment-in-video-games-falls-as-investors-shift-focus-99722617] For S&P Global subscribers (login required): Economics of Streaming Media: Growth in market an opportunity for game industry [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=14792565] Xbox's new Netflix-style subscription service could have 'unique advantage' [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=39778328] GameStop confirms discussions about potential deal [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=44975653] GameStop to sell AT&T wireless business to Prime Communications for $700M [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=48425407] Data Dispatch: PlayStation 5 launch highlights accelerating shift to digital for video games [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=59050692] Data Dispatch: Most-shorted S&P 500 stock of 2020 surges, putting squeeze on short sellers [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=62124855] Data Dispatch: GameStop frenzy could 'forever change' shorting as traders disrupt risk calculus [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=62381594] GameStop traders at a crossroads: 'To the moon' or 'along for the ride' [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=62397330] Data Dispatch: Analysts question funding, rationale in GameStop's $55.5B play for eBay [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=101284770] Host: Neil Barbour Produced & Edited By: Neil Barbour Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Patrick Moroney

DRAMageddon Has Gaming Under Attack

The artificial intelligence boom is monopolizing global semiconductor capacity, sparking a severe shortage of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) modules. As data centers gobble up high-bandwidth memory for AI accelerators, consumer electronics are facing skyrocketing costs and supply constraints. In this episode, host Neil Barbour joins Chris Rogers, head of supply chain research at S&P Global Market Intelligence, to unpack the ongoing "DRAMageddon" and its ripple effects across the gaming hardware market, from rising VR headset prices to delayed next-generation consoles. Key topics include: * How the massive compute requirements for AI accelerators (like NVIDIA's Hopper, Blackwell and Rubin) are forcing manufacturers to reallocate capacity, driving DRAM prices to historic highs. * The knock-on effects for consumer tech, including steep memory upgrade costs for smartphones (iPhone 17, Samsung S26) and Meta's price hike for the Quest 3. * The delicate balancing act console vendors face ahead of Grand Theft Auto VI's fall launch, weighing potential demand surges against the risk of holding excess mature inventory. * Why hardware production is rapidly shifting from China to Vietnam to dodge uncertain import tariffs, and how this impacts the broader consumer electronics supply chain. * Why macroeconomic headwinds, inflation, and component shortages mean the next generation of consoles (including Microsoft's Project Helix) likely won't hit shelves until 2028. More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content: * Age of Agility: Corporate Supply Chain Strategy Themes in 2026 [https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/research/2026/01/age-of-agility-corporate-supply-chain-strategy-themes-in-2026] * TCL's upcoming Sony tie-up opens opportunity to overtake Samsung in shipments [https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/research/2026/05/tcl-s-upcoming-sony-tie-up-opens-opportunity-to-overtake-samsung-in-shipments] * Video game profitability tracker: Positive, if precarious, margin trends in 2025 [https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/research/2026/04/video-game-profitability-tracker-positive-if-precarious-margin-trends-in-2025] For S&P Global subscribers (login required): * Gaming's new frontiers: Media expansion and IP power at iicon summit [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=101339156&KeyProductLinkType=24] * Metaverse investment tracker Q1 2026: VR treadmill maker goes public [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=100718310&KeyProductLinkType=24] * Mario movie sequel underperforms original, but Mortal Kombat may level up [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=101417402&KeyProductLinkType=24] Credits: * Host: Neil Barbour * Guest: Chris Rogers, head of supply chain research at S&P Global Market Intelligence * Produced & Edited By: Neil Barbour * Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Patrick Moroney

The 10 Video Games That Will Define 2026

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 [https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/articles/2026/4/roblox-pushes-lawmakers-to-coordinate-child-safety-across-platforms-100650216] * Startups aim to improve AR visualization tools for the future of AI [https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/research/2025/07/startups-aim-to-improve-ar-visualization-tools-for-the-future-of-ai] * Private equity investment in video games falls as investors shift focus [https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/articles/2026/3/private-equity-investment-in-video-games-falls-as-investors-shift-focus-99722617] For S&P Global subscribers (login required): * Video gaming content revenue finally pushes past $200B in 2025 [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=99912491&KeyProductLinkType=14&utm_campaign=top_news_1&utm_medium=top_news&utm_source=news_home] * Video game fundraising hits multiyear low in Q1 2026 [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=100644622] * Microsoft's next Xbox poised to take console gaming wars to the PC [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=99731168] Credits: * Host: Neil Barbour * Guest: Eiman Hussain * Produced & Edited By: Neil Barbour * Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Patrick Moroney

How Pokémon Go Guides Delivery Robots

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 [https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/research/2026/01/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 [https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/research/2025/07/startups-aim-to-improve-ar-visualization-tools-for-the-future-of-ai] * Private equity investment in video games falls as investors shift focus [https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/articles/2026/3/private-equity-investment-in-video-games-falls-as-investors-shift-focus-99722617] For S&P Global subscribers (login required): * Video gaming content revenue finally pushes past $200B in 2025 [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=99912491&KeyProductLinkType=14&utm_campaign=top_news_1&utm_medium=top_news&utm_source=news_home] * Video game M&A Q1 2025: Aggregate valuation surges YOY on Pokemon Go deal [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=88411572] * Audio-based smart glasses find momentum with AI in 5-year forecast [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=91358054] 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

Even The Pope Plays Video Games

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 [https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/research/2025/08/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 [https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/research/sports-rights-in-the-us-to-reach-37-billion-by-2030] * Private equity investment in video games falls as investors shift focus [https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/articles/2026/3/private-equity-investment-in-video-games-falls-as-investors-shift-focus-99722617] For S&P Global subscribers (login required): * Microsoft's next Xbox poised to take console gaming wars to the PC [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=99731168] * Video gaming content revenue finally pushes past $200B in 2025 [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=99912491&KeyProductLinkType=14&utm_campaign=top_news_1&utm_medium=top_news&utm_source=news_home] * Video game industry head count falls 3.5% in 2025 with AI waiting in the wings [https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/apisv3/spg-webplatform-core/news/article?id=98840890] 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