Author: Tim Rogers
On Pokémon’s 28th anniversary, known as Pokémon Day, The Pokémon Company announced updates for all five of its active mobile games. From Pokémon Go to Pokémon Unite to Pokémon Café ReMix, the franchise has explored a variety of genres in its mobile expansion. While some experiments have been more successful than others, all five mobile games are continuing to receive support with new updates. Each game either has an update available now or on the way, aligning with the celebration of 28 years since the original Red and Green versions premiered on the Game Boy. Exciting Updates: Pokémon Go, the…
PlanetPlay, a climate-conscious games marketplace, has been collaborating with innovative game studios to combat the climate crisis and demonstrate how the video game industry can contribute to a sustainable future. One such partnership with Sybo’s Subway Surfers introduced music artist J Balvin into the game, allowing players to purchase his limited-edition character with proceeds supporting environmental initiatives endorsed by PlanetPlay. Another notable collaboration with Lockwood Publishing, the developer of the mobile metaverse experience Avakin Life, involved recording artist and entrepreneur Fat Joe promoting eco-friendly initiatives through exclusive in-game and physical merchandise, with a portion of sales donated to PlanetPlay for…
Black Tech Nation Ventures was founded in 2021 to bridge the funding gap for Black founders in response to the surge of venture diversity initiatives following the tragic death of George Floyd in 2020. As the backlash against diversity-focused investments grows, the firm’s mission is more crucial now than ever. Based in Pittsburgh, this venture firm has successfully raised its first $50 million for its inaugural fund. The fund aims to support pre-seed and seed-stage software startups led by underrepresented groups, including Black, women, and LGBTQ+ founders. Notable backers of the firm include Alphabet, First National Bank, and billionaire Mark…
Are you looking to showcase your brand in front of the gaming industry’s top leaders? Learn more about GamesBeat Summit sponsorship opportunities here. NetEase Games has partnered with veteran game designer David Vonderhaar to launch BulletFarm, a remote-first triple-A studio. Under Vonderhaar’s leadership, BulletFarm is developing a brand new game using Unreal Engine 5. This upcoming shooter will emphasize intimate, co-operative gameplay set in an original universe. Vonderhaar, known for his work on the Call of Duty franchise at Treyarch, is joined by former Treyarch principal game designer Chris Cowell at BulletFarm as the studio’s creative director. Going for the…
LG LG has officially released its newest OLED evo G4 and C4 models, starting at $1,500. Preorders are available starting February 28 on LG.com with deliveries expected in late March. As part of the preorder promotion, purchasing either model by March 17, 2024, includes a free LG Smart Cam and free wall mounting or TV stand setup. Additionally, there’s a 25% discount on LG’s OLED-compatible soundbars when ordered with select LG OLED evo G4 and C4 TV models. For 2024, LG OLED evo models come with upgraded AI upscaling, Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro, and AI Sound Pro features. They offer…
Lego Legos are a great way for both kids and adults to express their creativity through building, and when it comes to Star Wars-themed sets, there are some amazing deals available. From classic characters to iconic starships, there’s something for every fan. Let’s explore some of the best deals based on popularity, variety, and price adjustments to help you make the right choice. We’ve included options across different price ranges, so whether you have a little birthday money to spend or want to splurge on a special gift, there’s something for everyone. The Best Lego Star Wars Deals Lego Lego…
The world of HR services is experiencing consolidation as larger players acquire smaller startups to enhance unit economics and provide comprehensive solutions for customers. In the latest news, Deel, the $12 billion HR business based in Paris, has acquired Zavvy, an AI-based “people development” startup from Munich specializing in personalized career development, training, and performance management. Deel, known primarily for its payroll and HR services for distributed workforces, will integrate Zavvy’s services into its existing platform, emphasizing a shift towards working with both distributed and non-distributed workforces. Additionally, Deel plans to incorporate more AI technologies across its expanded portfolio. The…
Prakhar Khanna / Digital Trends Last summer, the Honor Magic V2 surprised me with its incredibly slim and lightweight design, bringing foldable phones closer to traditional slab phones. At MWC 2024, Honor has raised the bar with the Porsche Edition of the device. Priced at 2,699 euros, the Honor Magic V2 RSR boasts the same specifications as its predecessor but is even lighter at 234 grams. After using it for about three weeks, I’ve appreciated the experience of carrying a large screen in my pocket, although a few aspects have given me pause. A new benchmark for foldable phone design…
eQub, an Ethiopian startup, emerged as the victor in the fintech pitch-off at the 4YFN event during Mobile World Congress 2024. TechCrunch had the opportunity to sit down with Nahom Michael, the business development lead of the company, on the ground in Barcelona. The name of the startup, eQub, originates from an Amharic word representing a local form of peer-to-peer credit, as explained by Michael. An Equb refers to a savings group where members pool money to be distributed in turns. This concept, known as a rotating savings and credit association (ROSCAS), is prevalent in many countries, particularly in Africa,…
In January 2024, China approved 115 new video game titles, marking the largest batch of approvals in the country in 18 months. This increase in approvals comes after a regulatory proposal caused industry concerns and led to a decline in gaming stocks of companies like Tencent and NetEase. Following the publication of the proposal, China approved 105 titles for sale in its December batch, the first time over 100 games were approved at once since July 2022. Companies such as Tencent, Lilith Games, Shenzhen Zhongqingbaowang Network Technology, and 37 Interactive Entertainment had their titles approved in January 2024. Industry Rebound…