** Roblox leads gaming stocks with 28% share price gains this year; co's free-to-play model has been attracting significant consumer spending on its platform despite wider slowdown in gaming activity

** RBLX was also targeted by short-seller Hindenburg Research in October 2024, who alleged the gaming platform inflated metrics including user numbers and engagement

** Take-Two Interactive Software's shares are set to gain ~15% this year; co is benefiting from strong performance of its "Grand Theft Auto" and "Borderlands" franchises

** TTWO is also set to launch its highly anticipated "GTA VI" in fall 2025, which analysts say could be a catalyst for current-generation console adoption; co's fiscal 2026 pipeline includes titles like "Borderlands 4" and "Mafia: The Old Country"

** Shares of Electronic Arts are up ~7% this year; EA's sports titles "Madden NFL" and "College Football" show strong engagement

** Gaming firms including TTWO, EA and Japan's Sony announced layoffs this year to navigate a challenging environment, marked by sticky inflation, as they focus on profitability

(Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru)

((Jaspreet.Singh@thomsonreuters.com ; ))