"Game On" is The Fly's weekly recap of the stories powering up or beating down video game stocks.

DELAYS AMID PROTESTS: A number of video game companies have delayed certain events or content launches in response to the protests happening across the U.S. over the death of George Floyd. Despite announcing a more-detailed PlayStation 5 reveal for June 4, Sony (SNE) said via Twitter yesterday that it had postponed the event, saying that the company does not "feel that right now is a time for celebration and for now, we want to stand back and allow more important voices to be heard." The company has yet to announce a new date for the event.

Meanwhile, Electronic Arts (EA) said Monday that it was pushing its "Madden NFL 21" reveal event as well. "We stand with our African American / Black community of friends, players, colleagues and partners," the game maker said in a statement posted on Twitter. "Our immediate attention is on actions we can take to drive change against the unjust treatment and systemic bias that is plaguing the nation and our world. We'll find another time to talk football with you. Because this is bigger than a game, bigger than sports, and needs all of us to stand together and commit to change."

In addition, Activision's (ATVI) Call of Duty Twitter account said earlier Tuesday: "While we all look forward to playing the new seasons of Modern Warfare, Warzone and Call of Duty: Mobile, now is not the time. We are moving the launches of Modern Warfare Season 4 and Call of Duty: Mobile Season 7 to later dates. Right now it's time for those speaking up for equality, justice and change to be seen and heard. We stand alongside you."

EA/NFL: Last Thursday, Electronic Arts, the National Football League and the NFL Players Association announced a multi-year renewal to their partnership. Under the partnership, the EA SPORTS Madden NFL franchise will exclusively create authentic football simulation games, and EA SPORTS, the NFL and the NFLPA will partner to develop games in new genres, expanded esports programs, and additional experiences for fans across more platforms. "Building on the most successful year ever for Madden NFL, this is a powerful time for EA SPORTS to come together with the NFL and the NFLPA in this new wide-reaching partnership," said Andrew Wilson, CEO of Electronic Arts. "Together, we have a tremendous opportunity to entertain more players through new Madden NFL experiences, games in new genres and on new platforms, esports, and new innovations that will grow fans' love of the NFL around the world."

PIPER NOTE: Piper Sandler analyst Yung Kim said in an note to investors on Tuesday that he believes Activision Blizzard is the best positioned gaming stock through the second half of 2020 "due to a favorable catalyst path through 2021." The analyst said EA will lean on sports titles and live services while Take-Two (TTWO) will likely foucs on "GTA Online" and "NBA 2K." Kim added that he expects a "spate of announcements" through the end of June to clarify expectations for the second half with the E3 conference being cancelled due to COVID-19. The analyst maintains an Overweight rating on all three stocks.

OTHER STORIES TO WATCH:

• Eurogamer reported on Friday that Sony has told PlayStation 4 game developers that any new games submitted for certification have to also be compatible with the company's upcoming system, the PlayStation 5, starting on July 13.
• Microsoft (MSFT) said in a detailed blog post last week that backwards compatible games for the upcoming Xbox Series X will support the system's new features and will receive enhancements in frame rate and other technical aspects.