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☆ Nintendo Direct teases a Princess Peach game for Switch
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Michael Nam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —Princess Peach, the iconic video game damsel-in-distress, is getting her own Nintendo Switch adventure — sans Super Mario. The Japanese video game giant made the surprise brief announcement of its untitled project during its latest Nintendo Direct stream Wednesday, teasing some cinematics and gameplay that showed the heroine moving through a theatrical-stage-like environment, fighting enemies and magically transforming her pink dress to a white one. Another Mario second banana, his brother Luigi, also got some tantalizing stream time with a remake of his Nintendo 3DS game, “Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon,” originally released a decade ago. There was little other information provided other than that the two titles would be dropping some time in 2024, according to the hosts, Nintendo executives Shinya Takahashi and Yoshiaki Koizumi. The pair also showed off a parade of more classic brands:Some lesser-known titles announced that might intrigue Switch owners include “Palia,” a free-to-play multiplayer community simulator coming this holiday season; “Silent Hope,” an action role-playing fantasy game slated for October; “MythForce,” an action role-playing game inspired by Saturday morning cartoon styles; and “Head Bangers: Rhythm Royale,” a multiplayer collection of musical mini-games featuring pigeons, dropping on Halloween.

Persons: Peach, Luigi, ”, Shinya Takahashi, Yoshiaki Koizumi, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Nintendo, Nintendo 3DS Locations: New York

The Asus ROG Ally is a brand-new handheld gaming system that's set to hit Best Buy on June 13. On top of all that, the ROG Ally boasts more powerful hardware than even the Steam Deck. Asus plans on releasing two different versions: One with an AMD Z1 Extreme CPU that costs $700, and another with a weaker AMD Z1 chip for $600. Asus ROG Ally Gaming Handheld (Z1 Extreme) The Asus ROG Ally is a handheld gaming PC, running Windows 11. The ROG Ally is a mediocre way to use Windows 11Asus has built the ROG Ally to run Windows 11.

☆ Who are zillennials?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Terry Ward | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Along the blurry edge at the cusp of the two generations, between Gen Y and Z, is where zillennials live. Zillennials straddle the generations of millennials, who are considered digital pioneers, and Gen Z, who are considered digital natives who never knew life before screens. While zillennials often feel they don’t fit in with either Gen Z or millennials, Dorsey said the middle zone they occupy has its own advantages. His firm’s research has shown Gen Z to be more connected to social causes than millennials, with zillennials similarly more interested than millennials when it comes to social issues. From a young age, zillennials have learned the effects of climate change, said Carr.

☆ Nintendo Switch sales plunge 22% and the gaming giant expects further declines
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Nintendo is hoping key games such as Mario and Zelda will help it keep players interested in its ageing Switch console series. Nintendo reported a fall in profit and revenue in its fiscal year driven by a drop in sales of its flagship Switch console. The Japanese gaming giant sold 17.97 million units of its flagship Nintendo Switch console series, in line with its own forecast of 18 million units for the fiscal year. For the fiscal year ended March 2024, Nintendo forecast sales of 15 million units of the Switch. The company was twice forced to slash its forecast for Switch sales in the last fiscal year after a disappointing holiday season.

☆ I got to play the latest 'Legend of Zelda' game early. Here's a preview of the biggest game the year.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( William Antonelli | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

"The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom," Nintendo's biggest game this year, is releasing May 12. Last week, Nintendo invited Insider to play a demo of the game. Here are my first impressions of "Tears of the Kingdom," a wonderfully creative game that delivers on its hype. There are few games that have built more hype and anticipation than the newest Zelda game, "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom." "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" releases on May 12.

☆ Humans have to get in the way of AI to make it more responsible
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Emilia David | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Humans are key to responsible AI. Calls to pause AI development centered around the need to make sure we were building responsible AI. But some Big Tech companies laid off responsible AI employees as part of the great cost-cutting sweeping the industry, possibly undermining the greatest tool against unfettered, unchecked AI. Those moves come right as society has come to understand what can happen if AI escapes its guardrails, making AI ethics more important than ever. Here's why humans will help bring responsible AI to fruition.

☆ Elon Musk dreams of Twitter's AI power
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Emilia David | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Elon Musk's personal AI ambitions. Elon Musk was one of the more prominent names on an open letter calling for a pause in AI development. My teammate Asia Martin points out that Musk's position on AI is contradicted by Twitter's investment in generative AI. Twitter's recent purchase of hardware normally used to develop generative AI products shows the extent of this ambition. Read more on Elon Musk's AI ambitions.

☆ Nintendo to repair for free unresponsive game controllers, EU says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Foo Yun Chee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BRUSSELS, April 4 (Reuters) - Japanese gaming company Nintendo (7974.T) has agreed to repair for free beyond the legal guarantee period unresponsive console controllers following complaints from European consumer groups, the European Commission said on Tuesday. Nintendo found itself in the EU spotlight after the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) and nine national consumer groups in 2021 complained to the EU executive about its Nintendo Switch console, saying they deteriorate too quickly. This technical problem known as the 'Joy-Con drift' affected both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite consoles. "This is only a short-term fix that will allow consumers to have their defective products repaired for free. Yet Nintendo can still sell the console with the potential bug," BEUC Deputy Director General Ursula Pachl said in a statement.

☆ The creator of the Catan board game has died
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Klaus Teuber, creator of the blockbuster board game Catan, has passed away. “It is with profound sadness that we at Catan Studio acknowledge the passing of Klaus Teuber, legendary game designer and creator of the beloved board game Catan,” the game publisher’s said in a statement posted to Facebook and other social media platforms Tuesday. Catan, originally called Settlers of Catan, came out in 1995. “With sales nearing 25 million copies worldwide, Settlers of Catan is becoming the most popular board game since Risk and Monopoly,” according to the Atlantic. “Thank you Klaus for the joy you have brought to my life through the brilliant game of Catan,” another wrote.

☆ Tech leaders are urging caution on AI
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Paayal Zaveri | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Insider asked ChatGPT, the viral AI chatbot sweeping the internet, to whip up a layoff memo for a pretend tech company, Gomezon. Elon Musk, Steve Wozniak, researchers at Alphabet's DeepMind, and other AI leaders are calling for a pause on training AI models more powerful than OpenAI's GPT-4. My colleague Emilia David looked at why Elon Musk and other tech leaders are right: AI needs to slow down. An Apple Watch is an essential for many of us these days, but the right band can make all the difference. Check out Insider's review of the 18 best Apple Watch bands in 2023.

The PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller for Nintendo Switch is a full-sized gamepad with a budget-friendly price. If you're looking for a full-sized Switch controller that won't break the bank, check out the PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller. PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller for Nintendo Switch The PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller for Nintendo Switch is a full-sized gamepad that offers bigger buttons, better joysticks, and extra customizable buttons. William Antonelli/InsiderCompared to the Joy-Cons that come packaged with every Nintendo Switch, the Enhanced Wired Controller feels fantastic. Without Bluetooth or motion controls, the Enhanced Wired Controller isn't versatileThe Enhanced Controller plugs into the Switch's dock.

☆ Nintendo is releasing a limited-edition Switch OLED to celebrate the new Legend of Zelda game — here's how to preorder
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( William Antonelli | Steven Cohen | Tech Reporter For Insider Reviews | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Nintendo Switch OLED (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Edition) This version of the Nintendo Switch OLED has a design inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. How to preorder the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch OLEDNintendo only just unveiled the new Zelda-themed Switch OLED model, so not every retailer is offering it yet. It releases on April 28, and costs $360 — which is $10 more than a regular Nintendo Switch OLED. Alongside the new Switch OLED, Nintendo is also offering a Zelda-themed Pro Controller and carrying case. Nintendo The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is one of the most anticipated games of 2023, and a sequel to the acclaimed Action RPG The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

☆ Current and former Rokt employees told Insider about blackface, booze, and blurred lines
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

They told my colleague Jordan Pandy that Charlotte seemed affordable and diverse on paper. The photo was shown at a company-wide meeting to highlight how "fun" working at $2 billion ad-tech startup Rokt was, an Insider investigation reveals. He said blackface isn't a big deal in Australia, where the company was founded and where the photo was taken. But more than 30 current and former employees told my colleagues Jack Newsham and Madeline Stone that they had a different experience. Come behind the scenes of Rokt with us, where Insider reports that booze and blurred lines flow rampantly.

The Mario Choose One Bundle comes with a Switch, a sticker sheet, and a code for one free Mario game. The code lets you download Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, or Super Mario Odyssey. This exclusive Switch bundle includes a standard Nintendo Switch console, Mario Red Joy-Cons, stickers featuring art from the upcoming Super Mario Bros. movie, and a code you can redeem for one free Mario game. For more Mario Day discounts, check out our roundup of Nintendo Switch game deals you can snag right now. Deal Nintendo Switch Mario Choose One Bundle This bundle includes a standard Nintendo Switch console, special Joy-Con controllers, a free game, and exclusive stickers, all for the cost of a regular Switch.

Right now, Best Buy is taking $20 off popular Switch games like Super Mario Odyssey and Mario Kart 8. Deal Nintendo Super Mario Odyssey Down to $40, this is an excellent chance to save on the most recent of Nintendo’s flagship Super Mario games. Great Price Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Mario Kart 8 lets you bring the classic racing game to wherever the party may be with your Nintendo Switch. Deal Nintendo Super Mario Maker 2 A Mario game designed for the most creative of fans, Super Mario Maker lets you play, create, and share your very own side-scrolling Super Mario courses. Lowest Price Nintendo Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Nintendo Switch Set Mario Kart Live brings the classic racing game to life by letting you control a real-life Mario Kart alongside your game.

☆ Tencent in talks with Meta to sell Quest VR headsets in China - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Josh Ye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

HONG KONG, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Tencent Holdings (0700.HK) is in talks with Meta Platforms Inc (META.O) to distribute its Meta Quest line of virtual reality headsets in China, three people familiar with the matter said. The talks between Tencent and Meta started last year and have continued in recent months, according to one of the sources who has direct knowledge of the matter, adding that the talks remain early stage and details have yet to be agreed. Tencent and Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday. Tencent is mostly known for software that includes a suite of games and social media applications. It sells the Nintendo Switch console in China through a partnership with the Japanese gaming firm (7974.T) established four years ago.

☆ 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."

☆ Shares of Japan's Nintendo, SoftBank and Sharp tumble after earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Shares of Nintendo dropped 6% after the maker of the Switch video game console reported lower sales and profit and cut its full-year outlook. Nintendo shares were on track for their biggest one-day loss since November. SoftBank shares fell 6.2% after it reported a quarterly loss, hit by its massive Vision Fund investment unit, which fell into the red for the fourth straight quarter. Nintendo is struggling with softer sales for the ageing Switch, while SoftBank has seen valuations weaken for its sprawling tech portfolio. "The Nintendo Switch is now a six-year-old console and demand is now exhausted," analyst Mark Chadwick said on Smartkarma.

☆ Shares of Nintendo, SoftBank tumble after earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Shares of Nintendo dropped 7.6% after the maker of the Switch video game console reported lower sales and profit and cut its full-year outlook. Nintendo shares were on track for their biggest one-day loss since late 2021. SoftBank shares fell 6.6% after it reported a quarterly loss, hit by its massive Vision Fund investment unit, which fell into the red for the fourth straight quarter. Nintendo is struggling with softer sales for the ageing Switch, while SoftBank has seen valuations weaken for its sprawling tech portfolio. "The Nintendo Switch is now a six-year-old console and demand is now exhausted," analyst Mark Chadwick said on Smartkarma.

☆ Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon preview
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Mike Andronico | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon fleshes out the franchise’s backstory in the form of a pastel-colored adventure that challenges you to control two characters at once as you solve puzzles and take down enemies. Bayonetta Origins, which casts you as a young girl named Cereza (who, spoiler alert, would eventually become Bayonetta) is decidedly not that. The takeawayNintendoI came into my Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon demo with mild expectations, and came out itching to spend more time with Cereza and Cheshire. If you own a Nintendo Switch, it should be on your radar — even if you’ve never played a Bayonetta game before. Bayonetta Origins is up for preorder now and hits stores on March 17, and we’re already looking forward to playing more.

☆ Nintendo cuts sales forecast for its ageing Switch console after disappointing holiday season
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Nintendo said its Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet games for the Nintendo Switch hit an all-times sales record for the company. Nintendo on Tuesday cut the outlook for its Nintendo Switch console and games sales and slashed its profit outlook for its current fiscal year. The Japanese gaming giant said it now expects to sell 18 million Switch units for the fiscal year ending March 2023, down from a previous forecast of 19 million. Nintendo said it now also expects sales of 205 million software units, down from a previous projection of 210 million units. Nintendo sold around 8.23 million Switch consoles in the December holiday quarter, down around 22% year-on-year.

☆ '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.

☆ Welcome to post-layoff Google — starting with a tense, all-hands meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

But still, I would say that I work to live instead of living to work. A tense meeting at post-layoff Google. Google hosted an internal all-hands meeting on Monday — the first day back to work after cutting 12,000 people. This career coach helped Amazon and Google employees through layoffs. More than half of Alisa Cohen's clients work at Big Tech companies — some of them were laid off recently.

☆ Elon Musk is still a big fan of 'The Battle of Polytopia,' a video game where the goal is world domination
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Sindhu Sundar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Elon Musk and DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis are both fans of "The Battle of Polytopia," per Hassabis. "Polytopia" is a strategy game where players can direct their "tribe" to colonize territory. Some Tesla cars even used to have a feature allowing the game to run during drives. An email to Musk's Tesla email address by Insider didn't immediately receive a response on Tuesday morning. The goal is to compete with other tribes, which can be controlled by bots, to fight for control over territories.

☆ The upcoming Harry Potter game is already a top seller, despite JK Rowling controversy and boycott calls
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

"Hogwarts Legacy" is topping charts on Steam and the PlayStation Store, a month from its release. Warner Bros. has suggested it wants to cooperate with Rowling on future Potter-related content. "Hogwarts Legacy" is an open-world role-playing game set in the Harry Potter universe during the 1800s, and the player will play as a student at Hogwarts during that time. Warner Bros. Games representatives did not respond to requests for comment from Insider on whether Rowling will be compensated for "Hogwarts Legacy." But Rowling has far-reaching control over Harry Potter.

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