Daniel Ahmad
@zhugeex.com
Director of Research & Insights at Niko Partners.
I analyze the video games market in Asia & MENA.
I tweet insights about gaming + more.
I analyze the video games market in Asia & MENA.
I tweet insights about gaming + more.
Pinned
Daniel Ahmad
@zhugeex.com
· Oct 19
Hi Bluesky,
I'm the director of research and insights at Niko Partners, a market research and consultancy firm that covers the video game market in Asia & MENA.
I share insights on the video games industry, as well as thoughts on tech, politics, history, science and public transit.
I'm the director of research and insights at Niko Partners, a market research and consultancy firm that covers the video game market in Asia & MENA.
I share insights on the video games industry, as well as thoughts on tech, politics, history, science and public transit.
Reposted by Daniel Ahmad
Xbox Report | Q2 FY26 Results
▪️Total Gaming Revenue was down -9% YoY
▪️Content and Services were down -5%
▪️Hardware revenue dropped -32%
More ➡️ www.microsoft.com/en-us/Invest...
#Xbox
▪️Total Gaming Revenue was down -9% YoY
▪️Content and Services were down -5%
▪️Hardware revenue dropped -32%
More ➡️ www.microsoft.com/en-us/Invest...
#Xbox
January 28, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Xbox Report | Q2 FY26 Results
▪️Total Gaming Revenue was down -9% YoY
▪️Content and Services were down -5%
▪️Hardware revenue dropped -32%
More ➡️ www.microsoft.com/en-us/Invest...
#Xbox
▪️Total Gaming Revenue was down -9% YoY
▪️Content and Services were down -5%
▪️Hardware revenue dropped -32%
More ➡️ www.microsoft.com/en-us/Invest...
#Xbox
Reposted by Daniel Ahmad
rare to get such a clear glimpse into the mind of someone whose response to problems in his personal life was to blame black people
January 28, 2026 at 7:24 PM
rare to get such a clear glimpse into the mind of someone whose response to problems in his personal life was to blame black people
Reposted by Daniel Ahmad
January 28, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Reposted by Daniel Ahmad
“Danes are turning to mobile apps to scan everyday products and boycott those associated with the US. … The most popular — UdenUSA (Danish for Without the USA) — is now the No. 1 free-to-download application in Apple’s App Store in Denmark, after seeing a sudden surge in recent weeks.”
Trump-Weary Danes Turn to Technology in Boycott of US Brands
Vegemite, the yeasty spread from Australia, gets a passing green checkmark. So does a French bottle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. But Diet Coke, a favorite of President Donald Trump? To that, a popular new ...
www.bloomberg.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:10 PM
“Danes are turning to mobile apps to scan everyday products and boycott those associated with the US. … The most popular — UdenUSA (Danish for Without the USA) — is now the No. 1 free-to-download application in Apple’s App Store in Denmark, after seeing a sudden surge in recent weeks.”
Reposted by Daniel Ahmad
Dispatch is censored on Switch, as mandated by Nintendo:
"We worked with Nintendo to ensure the content within the title met the criteria to release on their platforms[...]core narrative and gameplay experience remains identical to the original release" said AdHoc
www.eurogamer.net/dispatch-swi...
"We worked with Nintendo to ensure the content within the title met the criteria to release on their platforms[...]core narrative and gameplay experience remains identical to the original release" said AdHoc
www.eurogamer.net/dispatch-swi...
"The core narrative and gameplay experience remains identical" AdHoc reassures Dispatch players on Switch as it confirms Nintendo platform versions are censored
Dispatch is gearing up for its debut on Switch later today, however there will be some censorship differences on Nintendo's consoles.
www.eurogamer.net
January 28, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Dispatch is censored on Switch, as mandated by Nintendo:
"We worked with Nintendo to ensure the content within the title met the criteria to release on their platforms[...]core narrative and gameplay experience remains identical to the original release" said AdHoc
www.eurogamer.net/dispatch-swi...
"We worked with Nintendo to ensure the content within the title met the criteria to release on their platforms[...]core narrative and gameplay experience remains identical to the original release" said AdHoc
www.eurogamer.net/dispatch-swi...
Reposted by Daniel Ahmad
China, for the past couple of years, has deployed as many wind farms and solar panels as the rest of the world combined. It's also exporting its solar tech on a massive scale, bringing down the price of electricity across the globe. 🔋
How China Is Driving Down Electricity Costs With Renewables
China is reshaping its energy economy with renewables like wind and solar—and flooding the world with affordable solar technology.
buff.ly
January 28, 2026 at 6:26 PM
China, for the past couple of years, has deployed as many wind farms and solar panels as the rest of the world combined. It's also exporting its solar tech on a massive scale, bringing down the price of electricity across the globe. 🔋
Huh. I figured she would have preferred Unreal Engine.
January 28, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Huh. I figured she would have preferred Unreal Engine.
Reposted by Daniel Ahmad
BREAKING: Amazon Game Studios boss Christoph Hartmann (formerly head of 2K) is leaving the company, Bloomberg News has learned, as Amazon continues its retreat from the PC and console video-game space in favor of its cloud gaming service Luna.
January 28, 2026 at 5:41 PM
BREAKING: Amazon Game Studios boss Christoph Hartmann (formerly head of 2K) is leaving the company, Bloomberg News has learned, as Amazon continues its retreat from the PC and console video-game space in favor of its cloud gaming service Luna.
Reposted by Daniel Ahmad
The Battle of Minneapolis is far from over. But Trump... flinched. The People are doing what the law and the Democrats cannot: defending thier rights and the rights of others.
My latest in @thenation.com
www.thenation.com/article/acti...
My latest in @thenation.com
www.thenation.com/article/acti...
The People Are Winning the Battle Against ICE
The brave protesters in Minneapolis are doing everything that Democrats and even the law have failed to do.
www.thenation.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:27 PM
The Battle of Minneapolis is far from over. But Trump... flinched. The People are doing what the law and the Democrats cannot: defending thier rights and the rights of others.
My latest in @thenation.com
www.thenation.com/article/acti...
My latest in @thenation.com
www.thenation.com/article/acti...
Reposted by Daniel Ahmad
Ta-Nehisi Coates: With the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, "Trump has clarified an inconvenient fact—the culture war is an actual war"
“The Homeland” Is War on America: The Blood-and-Soil Nationalism That Killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti
In the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Trump has clarified an inconvenient fact: the culture war is an actual war.
www.vanityfair.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Ta-Nehisi Coates: With the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, "Trump has clarified an inconvenient fact—the culture war is an actual war"
"Additionally, the Switch 2's holiday wasn't on the slower side everywhere. In Asia, Niko Partners director of research and insights Daniel Ahmad says the Switch 2 had a good holiday."
Includes comments from myself:
Includes comments from myself:
Did the Nintendo Switch 2 Really Have a Bad Holiday? We Asked Analysts - IGN
Since December, we've been seeing (and writing!) headlines discussing the seeming slowdown of Nintendo Switch 2 sales going into the holiday season. But there's some nuance to this narrative, so I kic...
www.ign.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:57 PM
"Additionally, the Switch 2's holiday wasn't on the slower side everywhere. In Asia, Niko Partners director of research and insights Daniel Ahmad says the Switch 2 had a good holiday."
Includes comments from myself:
Includes comments from myself:
My reaction to this game
January 28, 2026 at 4:36 PM
My reaction to this game
Reposted by Daniel Ahmad
The biggest risk in this moment is something sociologists call “symbolic compliance.”
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
January 26, 2026 at 11:35 PM
The biggest risk in this moment is something sociologists call “symbolic compliance.”
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
Reposted by Daniel Ahmad
'We are shutting it down:' Ubisoft unions call for international strike
'We are shutting it down:' Ubisoft unions call for international strike
Five unions in France have proposed a mass walkout in February in response to widespread cost-cutting and a return-to-office mandate.
www.gamedeveloper.com
January 28, 2026 at 1:10 PM
'We are shutting it down:' Ubisoft unions call for international strike
Reposted by Daniel Ahmad
Report: NetEase Games is cutting jobs in Montreal
Report: NetEase Games is cutting jobs in Montreal
The layoffs appear to have impacted staff working in QA.
www.gamedeveloper.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Report: NetEase Games is cutting jobs in Montreal
CNN aren't even trying with this one
January 28, 2026 at 12:40 PM
CNN aren't even trying with this one
Reposted by Daniel Ahmad
I think there's a serious issue with people believing that negative reception to a game is somehow "more honest" than positive reception, and that if someone hates something, they are to be trusted. It leaves little room for honest, dissenting opinion.
January 27, 2026 at 9:41 PM
I think there's a serious issue with people believing that negative reception to a game is somehow "more honest" than positive reception, and that if someone hates something, they are to be trusted. It leaves little room for honest, dissenting opinion.
Reposted by Daniel Ahmad
I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work.
I don’t let bullies win.
Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong.
I don’t let bullies win.
Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong.
January 28, 2026 at 2:26 AM
I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work.
I don’t let bullies win.
Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong.
I don’t let bullies win.
Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong.
Reposted by Daniel Ahmad
Critical reception and player response are all over the map
Highguard is off to a rocky start at launch
Critical reception and player response are all over the map
www.polygon.com
January 28, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Critical reception and player response are all over the map
Reposted by Daniel Ahmad
"I'm gonna give Homan the benefit of the doubt"
"They should coordinate with local law enforcement, pick these people up in the middle of the night when they're not suspecting it"
Walz is capitulating to fascists and encouraging night raids. Genuinely disgusting. Why would anyone settle for this?
"They should coordinate with local law enforcement, pick these people up in the middle of the night when they're not suspecting it"
Walz is capitulating to fascists and encouraging night raids. Genuinely disgusting. Why would anyone settle for this?
January 27, 2026 at 11:26 PM
"I'm gonna give Homan the benefit of the doubt"
"They should coordinate with local law enforcement, pick these people up in the middle of the night when they're not suspecting it"
Walz is capitulating to fascists and encouraging night raids. Genuinely disgusting. Why would anyone settle for this?
"They should coordinate with local law enforcement, pick these people up in the middle of the night when they're not suspecting it"
Walz is capitulating to fascists and encouraging night raids. Genuinely disgusting. Why would anyone settle for this?
Reposted by Daniel Ahmad
"I do not feel safe in the country": international developers are skipping GDC because of Trump's border chaos:
aftermath.site/i-do-not-feel-...
aftermath.site/i-do-not-feel-...
January 27, 2026 at 8:50 PM
"I do not feel safe in the country": international developers are skipping GDC because of Trump's border chaos:
aftermath.site/i-do-not-feel-...
aftermath.site/i-do-not-feel-...
Reposted by Daniel Ahmad
Amid growing calls for the abolition of ICE, Rep. Delia Ramirez is calling for the entire DHS to be dismantled. Highlighting how much experience the officers who killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti had, Ramirez said, “DHS was built to violate our rights and has been empowered to act with impunity.”
House Democrat Says Abolishing ICE Isn’t Enough — DHS Must Go, Too
“The problem isn’t ‘training.’ DHS was built to violate our rights,” said Rep. Delia C. Ramirez.
truthout.org
January 27, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Amid growing calls for the abolition of ICE, Rep. Delia Ramirez is calling for the entire DHS to be dismantled. Highlighting how much experience the officers who killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti had, Ramirez said, “DHS was built to violate our rights and has been empowered to act with impunity.”
Reposted by Daniel Ahmad
wait, so Visa, Mastercard et. al can go after video game storefronts for six fucking months for having porn games but the moment X/Grok starts generating ACTUAL CHILD PORN they CHANGE THEIR POLICIES? dawg,
wrote about an apparent policy change in the payments industry www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
Payment processors were against CSAM until Grok started making it
“The industry is no longer willing to self-regulate.”
www.theverge.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:10 PM
wait, so Visa, Mastercard et. al can go after video game storefronts for six fucking months for having porn games but the moment X/Grok starts generating ACTUAL CHILD PORN they CHANGE THEIR POLICIES? dawg,
Reposted by Daniel Ahmad
it is the same playbook everywhere. “vote for us! we will make you great again by punishing the people you hate! do not pay attention to the fact that we’re also shoveling your money into the pockets of the uber wealthy and building a giant boot to step on your face too (preferably forever)”
The UK version of “Project 2025” by the Reform party includes a British ICE, a concentration camp for 24,000 people, mass surveillance and withdrawing from refugee, anti-torture and anti-trafficking conventions.
It’s on their website. That’s how comfortable fascists are in the UK today.
It’s on their website. That’s how comfortable fascists are in the UK today.
January 28, 2026 at 12:23 AM
it is the same playbook everywhere. “vote for us! we will make you great again by punishing the people you hate! do not pay attention to the fact that we’re also shoveling your money into the pockets of the uber wealthy and building a giant boot to step on your face too (preferably forever)”
