Robux for my avatar… Tween-favorite gaming platform Roblox posted record revenue in Q2, though user growth is slowing as IRL activities return. FYI: 75% of US kids ages 9 to 12 played Roblox last year. Now it’s focused on becoming a metaverse hub where its 43M users can learn, work, play, shop, and socialize. It’s not alone: Facebook is investing billions in its metaverse, and Microsoft is building meta-like virtual offices and games. We’ll get more on Roblox’s meta game plan when it reports Q3 earnings today.
Mickey prison… Last quarter, Disney’s Parks and Experiences biz turned a profit for the first time since the pandemic. But it hasn’t been smooth cruising: This month China locked 30K+ people inside Shanghai Disneyland after a former park-goer tested Covid-positive. Despite movie theater and park reopenings, Disney’s sales haven’t bounced back to pre-pandemic levels. Investors hope that Disney+ will save the day when Mickey reports earnings Thursday. Disney’s streamers (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN) make up nearly a quarter of its sales, but Disney+ growth is slowing after gaining 110M subs in two years.