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☆ Paramount axed its CEO, then held a bizarre earnings call where it played the 'Mission: Impossible' theme song over and over and refused to take questions
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

No questions were taken and the call ended with the Mission: Impossible theme being played on loop. The company announced the departure of its president and CEO Bob Bakish before the call. AdvertisementParamount executives didn't take any questions during the company's earnings call on Monday, and ended up blasting the Mission: Impossible theme music on loop to their investors instead. The entertainment studio's first quarterly earnings call of the year took place after Paramount announced the ouster of its president and CEO Bob Bakish. The earnings call ran for only 8 minutes and 50 seconds, and the executives in attendance weren't open to taking questions.

Persons: Bob Bakish, —, didn't, Bakish, George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, Brian Robbins, Jaime Morris, Anna Nicolaou, Matthew Belloni, Alex Stedman, Shari Redstone, David Ellison's Skydance, David Ellison, Larry Ellison, There's, Paramount didn't Organizations: Paramount, Service, — CBS, Showtime, MTV Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Nickelodeon, Financial Times, Netflix, David Ellison's Skydance Media, Oracle, BI

☆ Robert Downey Jr.'s 'showboating' performances in 'The Sympathizer' are polarizing critics. Here's what reviews are saying about HBO's new series.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Palmer Haasch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The series follows an agent referred to only as the Captain (Hoa Xuande), who's half-Vietnamese and half-French. Aligned with North Vietnam, he's embedded within the South Vietnam army. Critics have generally praised the series, particularly Xuande's performance and Park's direction (in addition to showrunning duties, he directs the first three episodes). Here's a breakdown of where some reviewers stand ahead of the series premiere on HBO Sunday evening. AdvertisementVariety's Alison Herman says that splitting Downey into parts both "deploys and diffuses" the impact of his celebrity on the series.

Persons: Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer, Hoa, Critics, —, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Chan, Don McKellar, he's, Robert Downey Jr, Xuande, Hopper Stone, Alan Sepinwall, IndieWire's Ben Travers, Tran Bui, Beth Dubber, weren't, Robert Downey's, Laura Sirikul, Sirikul, Variety's Alison Herman, Herman, Christopher Nolan's, Oppenheimer, Nick Schager, Downey, Sandra Oh, Park Chan, Nguyen's, Judy Berman, Rory Doherty, lauds, Doherty, Inverse's, Fred Nguyen Khan, Duy Nguyen, Sepinwall, IndieWire's Travers, Richard Lawson, Schager, Thanh, Fair's Lawson, Marina Fang Organizations: HBO, Viet Thanh, Service, Downey, Stone, Daily Locations: Viet, North Vietnam, Vietnam, United States, Korean

☆ Critics are calling Netflix's 'Ripley' a stunning Hitchcockian thriller. But like its criminal anti-hero, it ends up overstaying its welcome.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Eve Crosbie | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The series is a slow-burn thriller that might not work for everyone. NetflixAs many critics have pointed out, "Ripley" indulges in every minute of its almost eight-hour run time. It may take a few episodes to engross audience members, but it's well worth the ride. "This kind of meticulous artistry deserves equally attentive viewing," Lena Wilson argued for IGN, adding: "Despite streaming in full on Netflix, 'Ripley' works best when watched in moderation." However, Aramide Tinubu, writing for Variety, disagreed, arguing that "the episodes are painfully overlong and full of dead space."

Persons: Dakota Fanning, Johnny Flynn, Andrew Scott, Ripley, Dan Einav, Lucy Mangan, Lena Wilson, Aramide Tinubu, Maurizio Lombardi, —, Brian Lowry Organizations: Netflix, Financial Times, The Guardian, IGN, Variety Locations: Ripley, Dickie's

☆ Critics are hailing FX's 'Shōgun' as the next 'Game of Thrones'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Palmer Haasch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

"Shōgun," created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, takes place at the turn of the 17th century in Japan. Hiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga in the series premiere of "Shōgun." The Washington Post's Lili Loofbourow wrote that "Shōgun" will draw comparisons to "Game of Thrones" because it has a "proven combination of gorgeous set pieces, moral ambiguity, cliffhangers (literally, in one case!) According to critics, however, FX's "Shōgun" more effectively shifts the focus to the story's cast of Japanese characters. AdvertisementReviews praised Hiroyuki Sanada's performance as Toranaga YoshiiHiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga in "Shōgun."

Persons: —, James Clavell's, Rachel Kondo, Justin Marks, John Blackthorne, Yoshii Toranaga, Hiroyuki Sanada, Katie Yu, Alan Sepinwall, Nick Hilton, Lili Loofbourow, Loofbourow, Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Time's Judy Berman, Mike Hale, Toda Mariko, IGN's Samantha Nelson, Sanada, Hiroyuki Sanada's, Yoshii Hiroyuki Sanada, Stone's Sepinwall, Today's Kelly Lawler, IGN's Nelson, Toranaga, Critics, IndieWire's Ben Travers, Travers, Rebecca Nicholson, Yuka Kouri, Kurt Iswarienko, Variety's Alison Herman, showrunners Marks, Jonathan van Tulleken, Helen Jarvis, Carlos Rosario Organizations: Service, Hulu, Disney, Taiko, Regents, Business, Thrones, FX, New York Times Locations: United Kingdom, Japan, Kanto, Washington, Osaka, Hulu

☆ Kayne West's sampling of icons like Donna Summer and Ozzy Osbourne is a 'clear-cut' case of copyright infringement, legal experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Hannah Getahun | Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Though Ozzy Osbourne left Black Sabbath in 1979, his wife, Sharon Osbourne, told Billboard any songs the band wrote — Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward — require the approval of all four members to license. Regardless of the social media feud, legal experts say if true, the unauthorized use of the samples would be a “clear-cut” case of copyright infringement. He didn't dispute it,” entertainment attorney Donald M. Woodard of Carter and Woodard told Business Insider. AdvertisementOsbourne's recent objection to West's sample would be considered a new copyright claim, as the license for use does not permit West to sample the song in perpetuity. In 2022, Chicago artist Marshall Jefferson accused the rapper of using his song “Move Your Body” in the West song “Flowers” without permission.

Persons: —, Ty Dolla, West —, Ye —, Ozzy Osbourne, Donna Summer, West …, Donna Summer's, …, Osbourne, West swiped, Ye, Kanye, Hitler West, he'd, Instagram, Alex Jones, Hitler, Sharon Osbourne, — Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward —, Rolling Stone, FUGA, Tyrone William Griffin Jr, — hasn't, Sharon, Bianca Censori —, Ozzy, who's, I've, Donald M, Woodard of Carter, Woodard, West, ” Woodard, “, Robert Freund, Freund, Marshall Jefferson, Griffin Organizations: Service, ign, Business, Billboard, West, iTunes, Apple Music, FUGA, Spotify, Amazon Music, Daily Mail, Kanye Locations: Chicago

☆ Xbox is now on sale at Target for less than it was on Black Friday
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThe Xbox Series S is on sale for cheaper than it was on Black Friday after reports Microsoft would share Xbox exclusives with other gaming platforms. The Xbox Series S, which normally retails at $299, is on sale at Target for $219, or about $80 off. The Series S is already the budget version of the current console, selling at a retail price of $200 cheaper than the Xbox Series X, which boasts higher-level graphics performance and more storage. The deal clocks in even lower than the lowest Black Friday deal for the console, which saw them going for $229.99 on sale at Dell, according to IGN. Sony has sold more than 50 million PlayStation 5 consoles since its release in November 2020, while the Xbox Series S and Series X have sold about 21 million units, IGN reported .

Persons: —, Peter Kafka Organizations: Service, Microsoft, Target, Business, Dell, IGN, Xbox, Sony, Financial Times, PlayStation, Nintendo, Activision Blizzard, Netflix

☆ Ozzy Osbourne calls out 'antisemite' Kanye West for sampling Black Sabbath song without permission: 'I want no association with this man'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Eve Crosbie | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Ozzy Osbourne has called out Ye for using an unauthorized Black Sabbath sample on a new song. On X, he wrote that he refused the rapper's sample request because he's an "ANTISEMITE." Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, debuted his new album with Ty Dolla $ign on Thursday. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementOzzy Osbourne has called out Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, for using a sample of his music without permission.

Persons: Ozzy Osbourne, Ye, West, Ty Dolla, — Organizations: Service, ign, Billboard, Business

☆ The big business of the Super Bowl, from competing advertisers to the ultrawealthy networking
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

In today's big story, we're looking at the big business of the Super Bowl, from advertisers to the ultraweal thy . Developing and filming a Super Bowl ad typically runs 50% to 60% more than a regular one. AdvertisementFor some first-time Super Bowl advertisers, the commercial is a jumping-off point for a bigger campaign, writes BI’s Lauren Johnson. The Super Bowl is also a calendar staple for the ultrawealthy, writes BI’s Madeline Berg. A record 68 million Americans are projected to bet $23.1 billion on the Super Bowl, according to the American Gaming Association.

Persons: —, Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Patrick Smith, Emily Stewart, that’s, Ryan Joe, Lara O’Reilly, Ryan, BI’s Lauren Johnson, RYU, BI’s Madeline Berg, Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch —, VistaJet, BI’s Taylor Rains, Grace Kay, it’s, BI’s Juliana Kaplan, Cork Gaines, Usher, David Rosenberg, Quants, Getty, David Butow Here’s, Tesla, Sissie Hsiao, Bard, Gemini, Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi, Lucas Jackson, Dan DeFrancesco, Hallam Bullock, Jordan Parker Erb, George Glover Organizations: Business, Service, ign, Super, Elon, Private, American Gaming Association, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Renaissance Technologies, Man, AHL, UBS, Google, Reuters, Merchants, Conference, PepsiCo Locations: Sun Valley, YOLO, New York, London

☆ ‘Palworld’ dubbed ‘Pokémon with guns’ ignites furor as it becomes an overnight sensation
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Michael Nam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Cute video game creatures with guns have become a surprise monster hit. Fans of the long-running Pokémon franchise on Nintendo platforms have been angry about the close similarities of various creature designs, according to video game outlet IGN. It’s gotten bad enough that Pocketpair has said it received death threats. I promise…However, you’ll excuse me if I skip over the death threats, threats to the company and massively outlandish claims,” posted one Pocketpair community manager. “Nintendo has come for me, please leave me in your thoughts and prayers,” he posted on X.

Persons: Pocketpair, It’s, “, ”, Takuro Mizobe, doxxing, Mizobe didn’t, Nintendo’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, PC Steam, Xbox, Nintendo, Developers Locations: New York, Kansas

☆ Seth MacFarlane says Peter Griffin is buff in Fortnite because Epic 'didn't have the budget to make his actual body'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThe reason Peter Griffin is so jacked in Fortnite might be because Epic Games didn't have the budget to get his round frame into the game. (yes that's a real sentence)AdvertisementBut in an interview with IGN, "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane said Peter's muscles might actually be in place because Epic Games didn't have the funds to animate his body normally. If Epic Games doesn't have the funds to animate Peter Griffin, it certainly isn't because it's losing money in court. MacFarlane said when he was originally approached about adding Peter to the game, he didn't know what Fortnite was. AdvertisementMacFarlane notably did not voice Peter in the promotional video released by Epic Games showing his encounter with Meowscles, in which Peter has no voice lines.

Persons: —, Peter Griffin, Fortnite, Rick, Morty, Fry, Leela, Zoidberg, Peter, Guy, Seth MacFarlane, MacFarlane, it's, Meowscles Organizations: Service, Gamespot, League, Business, IGN, Google, Epic Games Locations: Fortnite

☆ A recent Grand Theft Auto 6 leak on TikTok may have come from a Rockstar Games employee's kid
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Rockstar Games recently announced the first trailer for the highly anticipated title. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementPurported leaks of Grand Theft Auto 6 footage on TikTok may have come from the child of a Rockstar Games employee, according to reports. Rockstar Games announced Friday that the first trailer for the highly anticipated game will be released on December 5. AdvertisementBREAKING:In a totally unexpected turn of events, it appears the ‘leaked’ footage has come from the son of a Rockstar Games employee.

Persons: —, GTABase, Arion Kurtaj, Kurtaj Organizations: Rockstar Games, Rockstar, Service, Eurogamer, IGN, Police, BBC

☆ How ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ went from a cult classic to beloved Disney property
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Audience support led to multiple rereleases, elevating the film from a cult classic to a must-watch movie during both Halloween and Christmas. But after the “Beetlejuice” filmmaker departed the studio and proved his success in helming his first “Batman” film, Disney returned to the project. Moviestore/Shutterstock“They never felt (“Nightmare”) was a Disney film,” Selick told IGN. Disneyland's Haunted Mansion attraction is dressed up from Halloween to Christmas with characters from "The Nightmare Before Christmas." “Nightmare” characters now make regular appearances at the Disney parks during Halloween and Christmas, greeting young visitors and appearing on seasonal merchandise.

Persons: CNN —, Jack Skellington, Aladdin, ”, Roger Rabbit ”, It’s, Ariel, Mickey Mouse, Sally, Henry Selick, Tim Burton, Mickey, ” Selick, A.frame, Disney, Burton, Selick, Boogie, Sandy, Disney execs, Mr, “, Jack, Roger Ebert, Patrick Fallon, Coco ”, Alice, Wonderland, “ Paranorman ”, he’s Organizations: CNN, Disney, ” Disney, Touchstone Pictures, Academy of Motion Picture Arts, Sciences, Halloween, IGN, Hollywood, Disneyland, Bloomberg, Getty, Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Locations: California, yearn

It hardly mattered that “Five Nights at Freddy’s” was released simultaneously in theaters and on streaming this weekend. Fans flocked to movie theaters across the country to see the scary video game adaptation on the big screen, which made $78 million to top the North American box office, according to studio estimates Sunday. The movie also opened in 64 markets internationally, where it’s expected to gross $52.6 million, giving the film a $130.6 million global launch – the biggest of any horror released this year. Political Cartoons View All 1223 ImagesAnd it paid off: “Five Nights at Freddy’s” is his company’s biggest opening of all time, surpassing “Halloween’s” domestic and global debut. Coppola’s “Priscilla,” about Priscilla Presley’s life with Elvis, also opened on four screens in New York and Los Angeles, where it averaged $33,035 per screen.

Persons: ”, Blumhouse, Emma Tammi, Josh Hutcherson, Mary Stuart Masterson, Matthew Lillard, Freddy Fazbear’s, Scott Cawthon, Jason Blum, “, ” Blum, AP’s Mark Kennedy, “ Taylor Swift, Martin Scorsese's, Alexander Payne’s “, Sofia Coppola’s “ Priscilla, Paul Giamatti, Coppola’s “ Priscilla, Priscilla Presley’s, Elvis, Cailee Spaeny, Jacob Elordi Organizations: American, Universal, Peacock, NBCUniversal, IGN, Rotten, AMC Theatres, Paramount, New Locations: U.S, Canada, New York, Los Angeles, New England

☆ CI Games shares drop on critical reviews of 'Lords of the Fallen'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Adrianna Ebert | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummaryCompanies CI Games shares extend losses to hit six month lowLosses follow some critical reviews of 'Lords of the Fallen'Critical reviews may affect sales - analystGDANSK, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Shares in Polish video game producer CI Games (CIG.WA) dropped as much as 18% to a six month low on Friday, adding to heavy losses the day before, following some critical reviews of its newest game "Lords of the Fallen". At 0844 GMT, CI Games shares were down 13.6% at 3.89 zlotys. The game release for PC and PlayStation 5 is set for Friday. CI Games' most popular game series is "Sniper Ghost Warrior", which has sold over 13 million copies. The first version of "Lords of the Fallen", released in 2014, sold over three million copies.

Persons: Piotr Bogusz, Bogusz, Adrianna Ebert, Sharon Singleton, Mark Potter Organizations: Games, IGN, Erste Group, Steam, CI Games, Thomson Locations: GDANSK

☆ 'The scholar, the pragmatist, and the rainmaker:' How three Bloomberg Beta VCs bet on AI before it became a buzzword
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Darius Rafieyan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Bahat brings this same radical directness to Bloomberg Beta, the early-stage venture capital fund housed within the larger Bloomberg empire that he's run for the past decade. And Bloomberg Beta was making investments in generative AI as far back as 2015, before the term "generative AI" even existed. "It felt like we were just waiting for the right moment," said Cham, Bloomberg Beta partner and de-facto chief technologist, "where the rest of the world would see it." Bloomberg Beta made the decision early on to publish its entire operating manual on GitHub, including sensitive information about average check size and investment criteria. Kieran Snyder, the founder of generative AI startup Textio which Bloomberg Beta invested in in 2015, has a shorthand for describing the role of Beta's three partners.

Persons: Roy Bahat's, Bahat, James Cham, Karin Klein, Shivon Zillis, Elon Musk's, Cham, ChatGPT, VCs, Bloomberg Beta, Dan Doctoroff, Mike Bloomberg, Doctoroff, Bahat's chutzpah, Bloomberg —, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Tade Oyerinde, Sam Altman, Peter Thiel's Founder's, Roy didn't, Oyerinde, Kieran Snyder, who's, Apple Lisa, Klein, Karen, Snyder, Roy, Zilis Organizations: Port Authority, World Trade Center, IGN, Bloomberg Beta, Bloomberg, LinkedIn, Elon, Beta, Apple, New Locations: New York, Silicon Valley, East, California

☆ Margot Robbie is making a movie about Monopoly. Here is what to know about all the toys and games being turned into films following the success of 'Barbie'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Ayomikun Adekaiyero | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

In 2015, CNN reported that the Hasbro game had been translated into 47 languages, played in 114 countries sold over 275 million copies. A Monopoly movie was first mooted by Oscar-nominated director Ridley Scott during an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 2007. In 2009, producer Frank Beddor came up with an interesting pitch for a Monopoly movie, which he told IGN that Scott was excited about. When Lionsgate acquired Entertainment One's TV and film operations from Hasbro in 2023, it seemed a Monopoly movie was their top priority. On Wednesday, during 2024's Cinemacon in Las Vegas, Lionsgate confirmed that a Monopoly movie is in development.

Persons: Justin Sullivan, Oscar, Ridley Scott, Frank Beddor, Scott, Beddor, Parker, Truman, Andrew Niccol, Kevin Hart, Tim Story, Chris Cocks Organizations: CNN, Hasbro, Los Angeles Times, IGN, Monopoly, Lionsgate, Entertainment Locations: Las Vegas

☆ 'The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom' video game: What to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” is perhaps the most highly anticipated video game of the year. The quest is familiar, with surprises aplentyLink takes to the skies in "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom." It’s already the fastest-selling Nintendo game of any game system in the Americas (take that, Mario and “Animal Crossing”!). The ‘legend’ itself is complexLink explores all corners of Hyrule in "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom." As for the specifics of this game and how it builds on the “Zelda” legend, we’ll save those surprises for players to discover some 50 hours in.

☆ The Harry Potter video game 'Hogwarts Legacy' is here, and topping sales charts — despite the JK Rowling controversy
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

"Hogwarts Legacy" was at the top of the Steam PC and PlayStation Store sales charts on Friday. The early success comes despite backlash over Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling's anti-trans comments. The game's early success is in the face of some calls for a boycott over Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling's past anti-trans comments. Warner Bros. Games, which released "Hogwarts Legacy," wrote on the game's FAQ page that Rowling was "not directly involved in the creation of the game." Discovery CEO David Zaslav in November expressed an interest in doing "something with J.K. on Harry Potter going forward."

☆ 'GoldenEye 007' is coming to Nintendo Switch and Xbox
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

“GoldenEye 007,” a classic first-person shooter made for Nintendo 64 in 1997, is being revived for Nintendo Switch and Xbox more than 25 years later. For fans who subscribe to additional content on both gaming systems, the game will be available on Friday. The Xbox version has been “faithfully recreated and enhanced,” said one ad for the re-release, while the Switch game features an online multiplayer mode. The return of “GoldenEye 007,” often referred to as one of the greatest video games of all time, has been years in the making. Now, Rare, the game’s original developer, has recreated it for Xbox with “a few modern touches,” while Nintendo is re-releasing the original on its Switch console.

LOS ANGELES, Jan 12 (Reuters) - The 2013 video game “The Last of Us” was a hit with critics and players thanks to a powerful narrative. Ten years later, that story is headed to television on HBO in what the industry hopes is a harbinger for artfully adapting video games to TV and film. The PlayStation game won numerous awards, including “Game of the Year” at the 17th Annual Design Innovate Communicate Entertain summit (DICE), which honors video game industry professionals. The TV series has received glowing reviews from critics, garnering a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes. "It shouldn’t be surprising that a drama based on a video game can have heart.

☆ You can literally bend this $2,000 computer screen with your hands to switch between a flat and curved display
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Corsair launched its latest gaming monitor called Xeneon Flex earlier this month that costs $2,000. The 45-inch screen can be bent to create a curved monitor, which can add immersion when gaming. Xeneon Flex is built with cutting-edge visual features and customizable lighting effects. The Xeneon Flex is an OLED display with a resolution of 3440 by 1440 and 240Hz refresh rate. The Xeneon Flex will be showcased at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show — the world's biggest consumer tech showcase based in Las Vegas — which starts on January 5th.

The maker of the popular online video game "Fortnite" has agreed to pay a record settlement to resolve charges it violated children's privacy, exposed children and teenagers to potential harassment, and duped players of all ages into making unwanted in-game purchases. The Federal Trade Commission announced Monday that North Carolina-based Epic Games will pay a total of $520 million to settle allegations that it collected personal data from children without first obtaining the consent of their parent or guardian. "The video game industry is a place of fast-moving innovation, where player expectations are high and new ideas are paramount. We accepted this agreement because we want Epic to be at the forefront of consumer protection and provide the best experience for our players." According to The Wall Street Journal, Epic was most recently valued at $32 billion.

☆ How Dexerto became 'the TMZ of esports,' with $10 million in revenue last year and 30 million monthly visitors
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

On the homepage of Dexerto, a seven-year-old gaming-news website, staid posts about competitive esports commingle with screaming headlines about online gossip. Dexerto — pronounced "desert-o," "as if the x was an s," the cofounder and CEO, Joshua Nino, said — was founded on "sport-style esports coverage." Today, dexerto.com attracts 30 million monthly visitors, it said — a formidable sum, though less than 30-year-old stalwarts like IGN and GameSpot, which clocked 98 million and 69 million monthly visits in September, according to the web-analytics firm Similarweb. Direct-ad sales account for about half of revenue, with programmatic ads (30%) and social monetization (20%) making up the rest. Nino said Dexerto had been mostly bootstrapped — aside from about £257,000 in seed funding — and had been profitable since 2016.

☆ From Apple AirPods and Squishmallows to 'Encanto' toys, here are some of the most anticipated gifts this holiday season, according to Adobe
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Sarah Belle Lin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

"The shape of the holiday season will look different this year, with early discounting in October," Patrick Brown, Adobe vice president of growth marketing and insights, said in a statement. Here are the toys, gaming devices, games, and other gifts that Adobe predicts will be the most popular items this holiday season. SquishmallowsThe stuffed animals come in all sizes, shapes, and colors and are expected to once again be popular this holiday season. Xbox Series XThe Xbox Series X is the fastest, most powerful Xbox yet, per Microsoft. Apple Watch Series 8/UltraThe new Apple Watch Series 8 comes in eight different colors, with either a 41-millimeter or 45-millimeter case.

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