Pixel P&L: Stan Raises $8.5M, Google RMG Settlement, Microsoft's Big Quarter

Welcome to another Pixel P&L edition. This issue takes 6 minutes to read. If you only have one, here are the 5 most important things:

• Stan, the Indian gaming community platform, just raised $8.5M from Google's AI Futures Fund and gaming giants Bandai Namco and Square Enix.

• Google offers to open Play Store to all real-money games in India to settle antitrust disputes.

• Microsoft became the top publisher on both Xbox and PlayStation this quarter, with Game Pass nearing $5 billion annual revenue.

• Krafton unveils PUBG: Blindspot, abandoning battle royale for tactical 5v5 gameplay.

• Six of PlayStation's top 10 games were published by Microsoft, with only Elden Ring preventing a complete top-three sweep.

Let's get into it.

Gaming Community Platform Stan Raises $8.5M From Google, Japanese Firms

Indian gaming community platform Stan has raised $8.5 million from Google's AI Futures Fund and Japanese gaming giants Bandai Namco Entertainment and Square Enix. The funding round also included Reazon Holdings and existing investors Nazara Technologies, General Catalyst and Aptos Labs.

Stan, founded in 2022, operates a platform where gamers and creators build monetized communities through subscriptions and brand partnerships, claiming 25 million users and over 1 million creators. The startup will use the funds to expand in India and other mobile-first markets and invest in AI-driven tools. "Stan's vision for empowering creators...deeply resonates with us," said David Benjamin, co-founder of Google's AI Futures Fund, launched in May 2025.

Stan reported revenue of $7.87 million in fiscal 2025, up from $1.71 million the previous year, and targets 50 million users by next year.

Google Proposes Broader Real-Money Gaming Access in India to Settle Antitrust Case

Google has offered to open its Play Store to all real-money gaming apps in India as part of a settlement proposal with competition regulators, moving beyond its current limited pilot program.

Real-money games are those involving monetary stakes where, according to The Supreme Court of India precedent, "success depends principally upon the superior knowledge, training, attention, experience, and adroitness of the player." India's highest court has distinguished these "games of skill" from "games of chance" or gambling, ruling that skill-based games with monetary stakes are legitimate economic activities protected under constitutional rights.

While video games have always been permitted on the platform, Google's pilot program launched in 2022 only allows fantasy sports and rummy apps among real-money games. The Alphabet unit submitted the broader proposal to India's Competition Commission following a complaint by gaming platform WinZO, which alleged the limited program was discriminatory.

Under the proposal, Google would allow all self-declared real-money games certified as "games of skill" by recognized third-party bodies to access its Play Store and advertising platforms within 120 days of regulatory approval. Advertising policy changes would take effect within 150 days.

The Competition Commission is seeking public feedback on Google's framework through August 20, with the All India Gaming Federation already voicing support for the proposed changes.

⚡️Quick Bytes

Microsoft Gaming Revenue Climbs 10% as Xbox Services Jump 13%

Microsoft's gaming division posted solid fourth-quarter results with revenue up 10% year-over-year, while Xbox content and services climbed 13% driven by strong first-party game performance. The company became the top publisher on both Xbox and PlayStation platforms this quarter. Game Pass annual revenue approached $5 billion for the first time, though Microsoft expects gaming revenue to decline mid-to-high single digits next quarter.

Krafton to Unveil New PUBG Game at Gamescom

Krafton will showcase PUBG: Blindspot, a 5v5 top-down tactical shooter, at Gamescom in August. The spin-off abandons battle royale for Rainbow Six Siege-style gameplay featuring vision-based mechanics where players only see enemies within their line of sight. The game includes Team Deathmatch and Demolition modes with unique operator characters. 

Microsoft Titles Dominate PlayStation Sales Charts

Six of PlayStation's ten best-selling games from April to July were published by Microsoft, according to Circana data. Forza Horizon 5, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 claimed the second, third, and fifth spots respectively. Only Bandai Namco's Elden Ring: Nightreign at number one prevented Microsoft from sweeping the top three positions.

⚔️Side Quest

📺 Watch: Gaming messiah Gabe Newell breaks his silence in this rare 2025 interview, sharing career insights from Microsoft to founding Valve. He reveals why he calls AI a "cheat code" for future success, discusses his customer-first philosophy, and offers invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

🎮 Play: Despite balancing issues and steep difficulty, The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily delivers an engaging experience with well-conceived strategic gameplay and entertaining dialogue. Expect to lose frequently, but the smooth auto-save system and compelling core mechanics make defeats feel like learning opportunities rather than frustrations. Recommended for strategy enthusiasts.

📚 Read: A heartfelt tribute exploring Ozzy Osbourne's profound influence on gaming culture, after his recent passing. Features insights from Doom creator John Romero and Brütal Legend's Tim Schafer on how the Prince of Darkness shaped gaming's relationship with metal music.

💡Did You Know

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds creator Brendan Greene had virtually no programming experience before developing the battle royale game. Working as a DJ and event photographer, Greene taught himself coding in his late 30s using YouTube tutorials specifically to create his gaming vision. His initial PUBG mod was directly inspired by The Hunger Games novels, originally featuring players competing for weapons at a central location. However, Greene strategically moved away from this concept to spread weapons across the map, both to improve gameplay balance and avoid potential copyright issues with the popular book series.

📜 Quote of the Day

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