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“It was gorgeous, and I was so not expecting it,” said Darion Lowenstein, 41, a video game consultant, who is gay. Though Bill’s role in the game is small, and his mention of being gay brief, it did not go unnoticed by LGBTQ gamers like Bonatsakis. Roughly 10% of gamers are LGBTQ, according to a 2020 survey by Nielsen. And for many of these queer gamers, Durkee said, video games are a lifeline. She said character customization in games such as “The Sims” and “World of Warcraft” can empower queer gamers to express their identity in ways that traditional media cannot.

☆ FuboTV insiders describe how its 'doomed' sportsbook collapsed in a year — and what it means for the future of the streaming company
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Colin Salao | Ashley Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +22 min

But despite the MetLife lounge remaining open throughout the 2021-22 NFL season, the Fubo Sportsbook wouldn't launch in New Jersey until the following one, in September 2022. "It was doomed from the start," one former Fubo Gaming staffer told Insider. Meanwhile, Rattner — whom the first former Fubo gaming staffer described as a "good talker" — sustained the startup's more youthful culture. The Fubo Sportsbook launched in New Jersey on September 7, days before the first Jets home game. A promotional image from when the Fubo Sportsbook went live in New Jersey in September 2022.

☆ Assassin's Creed maker Ubisoft sinks to more than seven-year low after slashing guidance, cancelling games
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The stock has since pared losses slightly and was last trading at around 20 euros, down 16% from the Wednesday close. In a trading update on Wednesday, Ubisoft lowered net bookings guidance for the third quarter of 2022 to 725 million euros, down from an earlier target of 830 million euros. The company forecast full-year net bookings would likely fall 10% after an earlier projection called for an increase of 10%. Ubisoft said Wednesday that it would depreciate around 500 million euros of capitalized research and development and narrow its focus to fewer titles. The company hopes to cut costs by about 200 million euros through a mix of targeted restructuring, divestment of "non-core" assets, and employee attrition.

☆ The biggest announcements from CES 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Harry Rabinowitz | Harry Rabinowitz Is A Reporter For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

Every year, the biggest brands in tech make their way to Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show, or CES. TelevisionRoku, one of the top streaming platforms for smart TVs, announced that it is releasing its own Roku-branded televisions. Now, Roku will be launching its own brand, with Roku Select and Roku Plus TVs, alongside a Roku TV Wireless Soundbar. TCL, a top smart TV brand, is rebranding and overhauling its TV lineup. Now, all of its smart TVs will fall into two groups: the higher-end Q-Series and the budget-friendly S-Series.

☆ 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.

☆ ABBA's successful avatar show in London offers a glimpse at a daring new direction for live music
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

"Our ambition is to do another ABBA Voyage, let's say in North America, Australasia, we could do another one in Europe. Dave J Hogan | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty ImagesIt was also designed for flexibility. Promotional image for ABBA Voyage, the digital avatar-based live show currently running in London. For Cox, live shows that provide a "shared experience" like ABBA Voyage hold a greater appeal than headset-based virtual experiences, though there will certainly be more of those available in future. Frazer Harrison | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images

☆ The FTC is suing to block Microsoft's $68.7 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Sarah Jackson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The FTC filed a challenge seeking to stop Microsoft from buying Activision Blizzard, known for blockbuster games like Call of Duty. The $68.7 billion deal is Microsoft's largest and the biggest in the history of the video game industry. The $68.7 billion deal is Microsoft's largest, not to mention the biggest in the video game industry. In a letter to employees Thursday, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick reiterated his "confidence" that the deal will go through. "The competitive landscape is shifting, and, simply put, a combined Microsoft-ABK will be good for players, good for employees, good for competition and good for the industry.

☆ Microsoft says it has reached a 10-year deal to bring ‘Call of Duty’ to Nintendo
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Microsoft said late Tuesday it has reached a 10-year deal to bring the 19-year-old game franchise to Nintendo after its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which makes the game, is completed. The Nintendo deal is the latest attempt by Microsoft to ease concerns that its blockbuster acquisition of the gaming giant could harm competition in the industry. Microsoft head of gaming Phil Spencer announced the commitment with Nintendo in a tweet and said it will continue to offer “Call of Duty” on gaming platform Steam if the deal is completed. The company’s decision to bring “Call of Duty” to Nintendo comes as Microsoft’s Activision deal faces regulatory scrutiny on both sides of the Atlantic. “Nintendo is not a high priority for ‘Call of Duty,’ all things considered – it has done perfectly fine without being on Nintendo recently,” Abbruzzese added.

☆ Microsoft says it will bring Call of Duty to Nintendo for 10 years if Activision deal closes
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Regulators have raised concerns that Microsoft could block the hit Call of Duty franchise from being released on rivals' games consoles. Microsoft said it has offered Sony a 10-year contract for Call of Duty to be released on the PlayStation on the same day it comes to the Xbox. Microsoft was not immediately available for comment on these points when contacted by CNBC. Spencer also said that Microsoft has "committed" to offer Call of Duty on game distribution platform Steam simultaneously to Xbox after the close of the deal. Activision is the developer for Call of Duty.

The largest property owner on the Las Vegas Strip is doubling down and taking full ownership of the MGM Grand Las Vegas and Mandalay Bay, which the deal values at $5.5 billion. VICI currently owns a 50.1% stake in the property, which it acquired when it bought MGM Growth properties in May. Strip casinos are seeing a 20% surge in revenue through October to $6.8 billion in gaming revenue from a year ago. "It's further evidence that Las Vegas remains amongst the most in-demand destinations in the world," said Rosemary Vassiliadis, Clark County's director of aviation. And hotel revenue in Las Vegas was up 51% in October compared with October 2019, before the pandemic, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Cyber Monday 2022 is quickly coming to an end so this is your last chance to save big on games for PlayStation 5, as well as discounts on PS5 accessories. Best Cyber Monday deals on PS5 controllers and accessoriesDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. $49.99 from Best Buy Originally $69.99 Save 29%Deal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. $44.99 from PlayStation Originally $59.99 Save 25%Deal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. $1,698.00 from Amazon Originally $2,299.99 Save 26%Best Cyber Monday deals on PS5 gamesDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.

Cyber Monday 2022 is here with big deals on games for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, as well as discounts on PS5 accessories. Best Cyber Monday deals on PS5 controllers and accessoriesDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. $49.99 from Best Buy Originally $69.99 Save 29%Deal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Great Price PlayStation Plus Essential (12 Months) Cyber Monday is one of the best times of the year to renew your PlayStation Plus subscription thanks to the 25% discount. $44.99 from PlayStation Originally $59.99 Save 25%Deal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.

The best Cyber Monday game console dealsDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Great Price Xbox Series S During the holidays, Microsoft is offering their budget console, the Xbox Series S, for $60 off. The best Cyber Monday game dealsDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. $39.99 from Best Buy Originally $59.99 Save 33%The best Cyber Monday gaming accessory dealsDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Deals on essential subscriptions like Xbox Game Pass and Nintendo Switch Online are also available during Cyber Monday, too.

Best Cyber Monday gaming PC gaming dealsDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Great Price ASUS ROG Strix G15 Gaming Desktop PC ROG Strix is ASUS' premiere PC gaming brand, and this prebuilt PC is a great example of the quality that name brings. Best Cyber Monday PC gaming monitor dealsDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. $139.99 from Best Buy Originally $249.99 Save 44%Best Cyber Monday PC gaming graphic card dealsDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Best Cyber Monday PC gaming SSD dealsDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.

☆ 'They are untouchable': Microsoft employees say 'golden boy' executives are still running wild, 8 years after the company vowed to clean up its toxic culture
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Ashley Stewart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +23 min

The Microsoft executive walked into the small, windowless room in Studio C at about 8 o'clock that evening. Despite Nadella's public stance against those he has called "talented jerks," many inside the company say Microsoft retains a nearly unlimited tolerance for bad behavior by its top rainmakers and developers. "The Microsoft of 2021 is very different from the Microsoft of 2000 to me and to everyone at Microsoft," Nadella said. But some women say the investigations drag on for months or even years, with no clear timeline for resolution. What's more, some employees say Microsoft's efforts to promote racial equity often smack of tokenism.

☆ 'We want to bring the joy of gaming to everybody,' Microsoft CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via Email'We want to bring the joy of gaming to everybody,' Microsoft CEO saysSatya Nadella of Microsoft says Activision is a "fantastic partner" that can enable Microsoft's gaming to be available on every platform.

☆ Blizzard will pull ‘World of Warcraft’ from China as NetEase deal ends
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Blizzard Entertainment said Thursday it will no longer offer games such as ‘World of Warcraft’ and ‘Hearthstone’ in China from next year once its deal with NetEase (NTES) ends, prompting shares in the Chinese internet giant to tumble. The games to be suspended include “World of Warcraft”, “Hearthstone”, “Warcraft III: Reforged”, “Overwatch”, the “StarCraft” series, “Diablo III”, and “Heroes of the Storm.”According to NetEase, the recently published “Diablo Immortal,” co-developed by NetEase and Blizzard, is covered by a separate long-term agreement, allowing its service to continue in China. The absence of Blizzard games could lower NetEase’s revenue by 6-8% next year, Daiwa Capital Markets wrote in a research report on Nov. 9. Blizzard Entertainment said upcoming releases for “World of Warcraft: Dragonflight,” “Hearthstone: March of the Lich King,” and season 2 of “Overwatch 2” will proceed later this year. “We are looking for alternatives to bring our games back to players in the future,” Blizzard President Mike Ybarra said in the statement.

☆ Results: California Proposition 27: Voters say no to legalizing sports gambling with revenue going toward social causes
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Taiyler Simone Mitchell | Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

California Proposition 27 would have legalized sports betting and given proceeds to social causes. Proposition 27's revenue would have been allocated to provide resources to address homelessness, mental health issues, and addiction. It was different from Proposition 26, another gambling proposition on the ballot that also failed. Support and oppositionCalifornians for Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support led the campaign in support of Proposition 27. It would provide an ongoing funding source of hundreds of millions of dollars each year to fight homelessness and provide mental health services to those most in need.

Nov 17 (Reuters) - Activision Blizzard (ATVI.O) said on Thursday it would suspend most Blizzard game services in mainland China once its current licensing agreements with NetEase (9999.HK) end in January. California-based Blizzard said new sales would be suspended in the coming days and players would receive further details. The absence of Blizzard games could cause a 6-8% drop in NetEase's revenue next year, analysts from Daiwa Capital Markets wrote in a research report on Nov. 9. The estimate is founded on the basis that licensed games account for around 10% of NetEase's total revenue and Blizzard accounts for 60-80% of licensed games. "We are looking for alternatives to bring our games back to players in the future," Blizzard President Mike Ybarra said in the statement.

☆ Microsoft wants to create more competition among game publishers, CEO Satya Nadella says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Sheila Chiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

SeongJoon Cho | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesMicrosoft CEO Satya Nadella says the American tech giant wants to create more competition among game publishers, as it faces an anticompetition probe over its $69 billion offer to buy Activision Blizzard . Activision Blizzard, the American game publisher behind popular franchises such as Call of Duty, Warcraft, and Candy Crush, could boost Microsoft's mobile gaming presence where it is largely absent. Microsoft has largely been in the console and PC video game businesses, offering access to hundreds of games via their video game subscription services Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. What can Microsoft uniquely do for gamers and game publishers? When asked about the next step if the Activision Blizzard deal doesn't happen, Nadella said: "We have been in gaming for decades.

☆ California Proposition 27: Voters will decide on legalizing sports gambling with revenue going toward social causes
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( Taiyler Simone Mitchell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

California Proposition 27 would legalize sports betting and give the proceeds to social causes. Ballot measure detailsKnown as the Legalize Sports Betting and Revenue for Homelessness Prevention Fund Initiative, Proposition 27 would legalize online sports betting across the state, according to the state's Legislative Analyst Office. Proposition 27's revenue would be allocated to provide resources to address homelessness, mental health issues, and addiction. Californians for Tribal Sovereignty and Safe Gaming and Coalition for Safe, Responsible Gaming are campaigning against the proposition. More than 60 tribes oppose Proposition 27, saying it would take away from their business, KFSN reported.

☆ Xbox boss says that the current metaverse is a 'poorly built video game' and is 'not how I want to spend my time'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Xbox chief Phil Spencer compared the metaverse to a "poorly built video game" and a "living room." Spencer compared the metaverse to a "poorly built video game" during The Wall Street Journal's Tech Live conference on Wednesday, but admitted that it would "evolve." "Today it's a poorly built video game," Spencer said. What I see in the metaverse world is that we're at the early stage and this will evolve." Microsoft, which owns Xbox, has struggled to enter the metaverse, according to a Wall Street Journal report published on Wednesday.

☆ 3 things not to do when pitching your startup to a VC, according to a partner at a $750 million crypto venture firm
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Morgan Chittum | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Marc Weinstein, a partner at VC firm Mechanism Capital, has cut 100 checks as an angel investor. The crypto venture firm grew from $500,000 to a peak AUM of $750 million in two years. But venture firms like Mechanism Capital say there are still tons of deals to be made. Founders who are 'catching the latest fad'The Mechanism Capital partner is focused on the team's backgrounds and what they've accomplished in the past. The firm, Weinstein included, looks for a certain level of consistency in their potential portfolio companies.

☆ Microsoft exec says gaming is 'somewhat resilient' to economic weakness
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Jordan Novet | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Microsoft's head of gaming said Wednesday that video games can stand up to economic weakness, even as the software maker expects slower pickup in other parts of its business targeting consumers. Gaming remains a high priority for Microsoft, with the company working to close its $68.7 billion acquisition of publisher Activision Blizzard . Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, sounded optimistic about the prospects of the unit. "The video game industry has never been 'recession-proof,' but that line gets brought out every time the r-word is mentioned," Mat Piscatella, executive director and video game industry advisor at market researcher NPD Group, wrote in a July tweet. "People can play video games for hundreds of hours," he said.

☆ Netflix is doubling down on gaming, with dozens of new hires and a dedicated studio, as it chases younger audiences and battles to turn back subscriber losses
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Netflix is making dozens of hires and opening a studio in Finland to bolster its mobile games push. Netflix is hirings dozens of experts to bolster its year-old push into gaming. A recent Forrester survey of Netflix subscribers, reviewed exclusively by Insider, showed only 5% had played one of Netflix's mobile games in the previous month, while 4% said its mobile games keep them subscribing, and 54% said "I could care less" about games on Netflix. However, the streamer in September announced it was opening a games studio in Helsinki, Finland. But there's a lot of competition in mobile gaming and for consumers' attention, Proulx added, and it's an open question "how hard they should press with their strategy."

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