Tag: gaming

  • Gaming firm VNG loses entire investment in Tiki

    Gaming firm VNG loses entire investment in Tiki

    E-commerce platform Tiki’s losses have wiped out a total of VND506 billion ($22 million) gaming firm VNG had invested in it. As of June 2019, VNG had suffered a cumulative loss of $22 million of its 24.6 percent shareholding in Tiki, according to the gaming firm’s recently released audited semi-annual financial statement.

    In accordance with current accounting practices, the value of VNG’s investment in Tiki is now effectively zero.

    Tiki JSC started off as an online bookstore in 2010 before venturing into e-commerce. Just six years later, the firm was valued at $45 million, following domestic tech firm VNG injecting some $17 million in a 38 percent stake acquisition deal, which was then the largest shareholding in Tiki.

    However, by June 30 this year, VNG’s stake in Tiki had fallen to 24.4 percent after JD.com, China’s second-biggest e-commerce firm behind Alibaba, made a series of investments for undisclosed sums to raise its ownership to 25.65 percent.

    Tiki, like other e-commerce giants in the Vietnamese market, has been struggling to make profit for years due to high operational costs in a competitive market.

    Tiki has reported losses totaling VND380 billion ($16.4 million) in 2016 and 2017. Tiki made a record loss of VND757 billion ($32.75 million) last year, of which VND254 billion ($11 million) was attributed to VNG.

    Founded in 2004, VNG provides online games, music streaming and messaging applications.

  • Information hidden in app reveals how much Apple will charge for Arcade

    Information hidden in app reveals how much Apple will charge for Arcade

    Back in March, Apple introduced Apple Arcade. This service will allow subscribers to pay a monthly fee for unlimited gameplay. There will be over 100 new titles that will be available, all exclusive to the app. Apple could release a launch date and pricing for Arcade on September 10th; that is when the company’s fall event is expected to be held according to a screenshot found on the most recent iOS 13 beta. But it appears that we might already know the pricing. The latter discovered information inside one of the APIs used by the App Store app that apparently reveals how much Arcade will cost (an API, or Application programming interface, is used to help two applications communicate with each other).

    According to the information discovered by 9to5Mac, Apple will charge $4.99 a month for the service after a one-month free trial. All members in a Family Sharing account will have access to the games inside the Arcade app, and since subscribers are paying for the service, there will be no in-app purchases offered. Arcade subscribers can start a game on an iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV and switch devices without missing a beat.

    Apple Arcade will join Apple Music, Apple News+ and Apple TV+ as features that bring in recurring revenue to Apple. It’s all part of the company’s plan to take advantage of the 900 million+ iPhones active around the world while lessening its reliance on new iPhone sales, which peaked in 2015. The services unit, which includes the aforementioned subscription-based features, the App Store, Apple Pay, AppleCare, iCloud and more, is Apple’s second-largest in terms of revenue and is it’s most profitable. Apple is targeting $50 billion in services revenue for next year, which would double the $25 billion the unit grossed in 2016. During its most recent earnings announcement covering the fiscal third quarter (April through June), the firm took in a record $11.5 billion in revenue for the division, up 12.7% from the $10.2 billion it took in during the same quarter in 2018.

    Apple has been using its employees to test Arcade and get some feedback before it is released for public use. This past weekend, we told you that after a one-month free trial, the company is asking employees for 49 cents a month to test early builds of some of the games. This early access program will end once iOS 13 is officially launched.

    Banking firm HSBC expects Arcade to garner as many as 29 million subscribers by 2024, raking in $4.5 billion. However, that estimate is based on a monthly subscription rate of $12.99 a month; that would seem to be too steep a price hike over a short period of time if Apple does indeed debut the service at $4.99 a month. So HSBC’s analysts are going to have to go back and rework the estimate.

    Some of the titles that you should expect to find when Apple Aracade launches include:

    • Hot Lava
    • Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm
    • Beyond a Steel Sky
    • Sonic Racing (yes, starring “that” Sonic)
    • LEGO Brawls (yes, starring those LEGO)
    • No Way Home
    • Yaga

    These are games that you won’t find elsewhere. And by offering you a free trial period, Apple is looking to get you hooked on the service. It is the same approach that the company takes with Apple Music. And if Apple does price Arcade at $4.99 a month, it might seem like a bargain to those who were expecting it to be priced at $9.99 a month or more. The failure or success of Arcade will go a long way toward determining whether Apple hits its goal of $50 billion in services revenue next year.

  • Microsoft confirms Gears of War mobile game drops this month

    Microsoft confirms Gears of War mobile game drops this month

    Unveiled more than a year ago, Microsoft’s Gears of War mobile game will be released on August 22, just a few weeks before Gears 5 hits PC and consoles in September. Dubbed Gears Pop!, since it’s a collaboration between Microsoft and Funko Pop!, the game will be available on both Android and iOS devices, Microsoft announced earlier.

    After a brief soft-launch, Gears Pop! will be fully available for everyone around the world with a compatible phone. The game features more than 30 Gears of War characters, ready to take your orders, all brought to life from authentic Funko Pop designs.

    In Gears Pop!, you’ll be building your squad mixing and matching COG and Locust units, use ultimate abilities, as you strive for supremacy on popular Gears maps. You can play against AI opponents to try out new squads before you take on real players.

    Since this is a free-to-play game, expect Gear Pop! to be heavy on in-app purchases, especially if you want to build a pretty solid team of Gears of War heroes and villains. You can still pre-register for the game via Google Play Store and App Store before the game launched on August 22.

  • Original DOOM game now available on Android and iOS

    Original DOOM game now available on Android and iOS

    Back in 1993, a little game called DOOM developed by a small studio called id Software set the gaming world on fire. About 25 years later, Bethesda decided to release classic DOOM titles to new platforms, including Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS.

    While DOOM, DOOM II and DOOM 3 are now available for download for Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PlayStation 4, only the first two are hitting Android and iOS devices. If you want to try them out, you can download them from the Google Play Store and App Store, respectively, for $5.

    The original game, DOOM comes with all the content released back in 1993, and the fourth expansion Thy Flesh Consumed. The re-release of DOOM II includes the Master Levels, 20 additional levels made by the community and curated by the developers.

    Although the classic DOOM game has been available on iOS since 2009, this is the first time both games are ported to Android and, of course, the first time DOOM II hits iOS devices. There’s one small issue though, you’ll need to log into a Bethesda account to play the games. If you don’t have an account yet, you’ll have to create one. The BehesdaNet login requirement was included for the Slayers Club with the purpose of rewarding members for playing the classic DOOM games.

    However, Bethesda said that the login should be optional and that it’s working on changing the requirement to optional right now.

  • New Pokemon mobile game coming to Android and iOS this summer

    New Pokemon mobile game coming to Android and iOS this summer

    Many have tried to clone Pokemon GO massive financial success, but no AR (augmented reality) mobile games managed to get nowhere near Niantic’s smash hit in terms of revenue. The latest contender, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite made just 4% of the revenue Pokemon GO made on the first day.

    Well, it looks like we will soon have another Pokemon game coming to Android and iOS devices. Developer DeNA announced that Pokemon Masters will arrive on mobile platforms at some point this summer.

    This will be DeNA’s first Pokemon game, but the developer helped Nintendo launch games like Super Mario Run and Fire Emblem: Heroes. It’s also helping with the development of the upcoming Mario Kart Tour mobile game.

    Pokemon Masters takes place on the artificial island of Pasio where trainers are given control of a single Pokemon. You’ll be teaming up with other trainers to take down opponents in 3vs3 battles. The combat is based on cooldowns of your abilities and happens in real-time rather than turn-based.

    The game will probably be available for free but expect in-app purchases in that case. Check out the trailer released earlier today by developer DeNA to learn more about the upcoming game.

  • Netflix to launch Stranger Things mobile RPG in 2020

    Netflix to launch Stranger Things mobile RPG in 2020

    In anticipation of the third Stranger Things season set to debut on July 4th, Netflix announced a brand new mobile game under the successful franchise. Developed in collaboration with Next Games, makers of The Walking Dead games, the free-to-play Stranger Things mobile game will be released in 2020 on Android and iOS platforms.

    According to Netflix, the game will reimagine the Stranger Things universe in the style of an 80’s Saturday morning cartoon. Moreover, the game will feature location-based gameplay elements and Google Maps integration, which will allow players to explore The Upside Down hidden around them.

    We are huge fans of Stranger Things and thrilled to work together with Netflix to bring our shared vision of Stranger Things into life in a mobile game format. Our core focus will be to deliver on Stranger Things’ rich and intense themes like friendship and supernatural adventure, and translate these into snack-sized entertainment on your mobile device.

    We don’t know if the Netflix and Next Games plan to monetize the game or simply use it for more exposure. Either way, we do know that the upcoming Stranger Things mobile RPG will be free-to-play.

  • Nintendo’s Dr. Mario World coming to Android and iOS

    Nintendo’s Dr. Mario World coming to Android and iOS

    Nintendo’s next mobile game is coming sooner than we expected. The Japanese company has just announced that Dr. Mario World will be making its debut on Android and iOS no later than July 10, and, more importantly, it will be free to play. Obviously, there will be in-app purchases, but those will be entirely optional

    Dr. Mario World is a match-3 puzzle type of game with a twist where players must match capsules with viruses. Basically, you’ll have to match three objects of the same color vertically or horizontally to clear them, using Dr. Mario’s virus-busting skills.

    At first glance, this might sound rather trivial, but you’ll find that each puzzle configuration of viruses must be cleared using a limited number of capsules, so you’ll have to plan ahead to be successful.

    Other iconic characters in the Mario universe will be available in the game, including Dr. Peach, Dr. Bowser, and other. Assistants like Goomba, Koopa Troopa, and Buzzy Beetle will help the doctors with additional skills.

    According to Nintendo, the game will feature “hundreds of stages over many different worlds,” which sounds like a lot of fun. Also, you’ll be able to play together with friends and family, or even have fun in versus mode. You can now pre-register for Dr. Mario World on Google Play Store and App Store for free.

  • Snapchat launches its first ever battle royale

    Snapchat launches its first ever battle royale

    Snapchat mobile games are a recent thing that Snap introduced a few weeks ago, but if you’re not familiar with the new feature, here is a quick rundown. Starting last month, Snapchat users can play together with their friends three mobile games directly within the app without having to install anything.

    These three games – Snake Squad, Zombie Rescue Squad, and Bitmoji Party, are available on both Android and iOS platforms. Today, a fourth title for the Snap Games feature has been released – Tiny Royale.

    Developed by Zynga, Tiny Royale is a battle royale game, exclusively available on Snap’s real-time multiplayer gaming platform. A top-down multiplayer shooter at its core, Tiny Royale promises to reinvent the battle royale experience for the Snapchat platform.

  • Kiehl’s pop up opens at Sha Tin, using AR to engage

    Kiehl’s pop up opens at Sha Tin, using AR to engage

    A Kiehl’s pop up at Sha Tin features an AR gaming app to engage with shoppers.

    The beauty products retailer’s short-term store at the New Town Plaza in Sha Tin has been launched to promote Kiehl’s Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream, and displays a giant 3D Calendula flower in the centre of the atrium that is only visible through visitors’ mobile phones.

    Visitors who upload images from the pop-up to their social media can redeem a special cosmetics product. Other product samples and a skin analysis are available for customers browsing the store.

    Kiehl’s has also designed an AR game that can be used at its regular stores after the pop-up closes, which will be playable until June 30. The game has collected 8000 registrations over the course of the campaign.

  • Google to shut down YouTube Gaming App

    Google to shut down YouTube Gaming App

    Google announced last year that the YouTube Gaming app will go away at the end of March. However, for reasons that elude us, Google has decided to prolong YouTube Gaming’s life for two more months.

    Today, the Mountain View company announced that it will shut down the YouTube Gaming app on May 30. Since we’re so close to the deadline, we doubt that Google will further delay the closure of the app.

    The YouTube Gaming app will go away on May 30, but you’ll be able to find all of your favorite gaming videos in the YouTube main app at www.youtube.com/gaming.

    If you’re using YouTube Gaming app on a regular basis, then you should know that Google plans to merge it with the standard YouTube platform. After May 30, all YouTube Gaming visitors will be directed to a new channel for games on the may YouTube website.

    Unfortunately, any content that you might have saved or viewed on the YouTube Gaming will be gone after May 30, as Google announced that it’s not possible to transfer games between platforms. According to YouTube, the merger of the two platforms will allow the company “to build a stronger home for the gaming community” on YouTube, not just the YouTube Gaming app. In other words, YouTube is putting all the eggs in one basket to better compete with the likes of Twitch.

  • Steam Link launches on iOS and Apple TV

    Steam Link launches on iOS and Apple TV

    Due to violating many of App Store’s guidelines, Valve’s Steam Link app was rejected by Apple last year, so Android users were the only ones to be able to bring desktop gaming to their smartphones and tablets.

    Well, it looks like Apple and Valve managed to address all the issues so that gamers could enjoy their library of games on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. Steam Link for iOS is now available for download via App Store and enables Steam users to play their games on their mobile devices while connected to their computers.

    You just need to pair an MFI or Steam controller to your device, connect to a computer running Steam on the same local network, and you should be ready to play any game from your Steam library.

    Now, it’s worth mentioning that Steam Link requires an iPhone or iPad running iOS 10 or higher, a computer running Steam (Windows, Mac, or Linux). According to Valve, for best performance, you need to connect your computer using Ethernet to your 5GHz Wi-Fi router, then connect your iOS device to the same 5GHz band of your Wi-Fi network. Also, make sure that you’re not too far away from your router when playing games.

  • Unicom, Ericsson to collaborate on 5G development

    Unicom, Ericsson to collaborate on 5G development

    China Unicom and Ericsson have signed an agreement to accelerate the development of commercial 5G technology.

    The agreement signed at China Unicom’s 5G Innovation and Cooperation Conference in Shenzhen involves further co-operation on a 5G test network.

    The companies have already completed innovative 5G projects, such as the live 4K HD broadcast of a marathon; live 8K HD broadcast of the Women’s World Club Volleyball Championship; 360 degree panoramic live broadcasting, and driving demos.

    Meanwhile China Telecom and Ericsson announced they are collaborating to provide an end-to-end 5G network for the Beijing Expo 2019 horticultural exhibition in Beijing’s Yanqin district.

    The two companies are providing an end-to-end 5G network for the expo offering a combination of garden art and 5G mobile edge computing (MEC) technology to provide visitors with 360-degree panoramic UHD video VR live broadcasting, 5G+VR live broadcasting, and 5G cloud gaming services.

  • Nubia’s new Gaming handset has Fresh Features

    Nubia’s new Gaming handset has Fresh Features

    Remember when there was all that concern about the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 SoC overheating? The fear was so real that Samsung decided to power the Galaxy S6 line with its own Exynos 7420 chipset, even in the U.S. where it usually equips its phones with a Snapdragon chip. Some manufacturers started using small (.6mm) heat pipes in order to dissipate the heat generated inside a smartphone.

    Nubia announced the first smartphone to be equipped with a cooling fan, the Red Magic 3 gaming phone. To keep the handset’s internals cool, the device combines what the company calls “state-of-the-art liquid cooling technology” with an internal fan. Nubia says that this combination increases heat transfer by 500%; not only does this keep the phone cool in the user’s hand, it also boosts the performance of the device providing a smoother experience.

    While the Nubia Red Magic 3 will launch on May 3rd in China, it also will be available next month in the U.S., Canada and Europe (including the U.K.). Pricing has not yet been announced, but the phone does feature high-end specs. The device comes with a 6.65-inch AMOLED screen with an FHD+ resolution. With a refresh rate of 90Hz (most phones refresh at 60Hz) the Red Magic 3 will offer users smooth gameplay. The Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform is under the hood, and there will be three different memory/storage configurations (6GB RAM/128GB storage, 8GB RAM/128GB storage and 12GB RAM/256GB storage). In addition, the phone features dual front-facing stereo speakers, DTS:X and 3D sound. This creates a “cinematic soundscape” with or without headphones. Instead of having to use a gamepad accessory, the handset has touch-sensitive shoulders that can be customized.

    The Red Magic 3 is more than just a gaming phone. It happens to be pre-installed with a nearly stock version of Android 9 Pie. On the back is a 48MP camera using Sony’s IMX586 sensor, and in front is a 16MP selfie snapper. With a 5000mAh battery inside, you won’t have to worry about finding an outlet in the middle of the day, and perhaps the next day as well. And if you happen to be an ardant gamer, the RedMagicGameSpace2.0 dashboard allows you to quick-launch games, optimize settings and the fan speeds, check the temperature inside the phone, and record in-game videos. It also allows you to block notifications so that you can enjoy uninterrupted game play. The Red Magic 3 will be available in Black or Red.

    Starting tomorrow, April 29th, consumers can sign up to win an opportunity to unbox the Red Magic 3 by visiting this website. Three first prize winners will receive the Red Magic 3 before the release date, and will get to do a live unboxing and hands-on over the Red Magic website and Nubia’s social media channels. Three second prize winners will have the opportunity to buy the Red Magic 3 at 50% off and four third prize winners get to take 20% off the price of the phone.

    Back in February, Nubia launched the Red Magic Mars gaming phone in the U.S. That model features a 6-inch LCD screen with a 1080 x 2160 resolution. While Nubia called this device a gaming phone and a daily driver in one unit (which it also says about the Red Magic 3), the $399 price surely caught the eye of smartphone buyers in the states. We don’t know the price of the Red Magic 3 yet; if Nubia keeps it low, it will be hard for U.S. consumers, unlike the phone, to keep cool.

  • Official Online Nintendo Store Opens Doors in Hong Kong

    Official Online Nintendo Store Opens Doors in Hong Kong

    An official Nintendo Hong Kong online store has opened this week.

    The new storefront eplaces a former Nintendo page that offered download codes which could be redeemed on WhatsMall.

    Now fans of the Japanese game platform can buy software online direct from the manufacturer.

    The Nintendo Hong Kong e-commerce site offers download codes for a range of Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS games along with DLC, reports fansite NintendoSoup.

    The site features multiple languages as well, along with Chinese: American and UK English, Canadian French, French, Latin America Spanish and Spanish.

  • Cloud gaming could make up half of 5G data traffic by 2022

    Cloud gaming could make up half of 5G data traffic by 2022

    Cloud gaming could generate as much as 50% of 5G data traffic by 2022, based on the rapid progression of cloud gaming services in recent months.

    That was one of the key findings presented during a recent livecast hosted by Openwave, which was attended by over 50 operators, including Vodafone, Orange, Deutsche Telekom, Verizon, AT&T and Telefónica.

    According to Openwave, most operators believe cloud gaming could represent 25% to 50% of 5G data traffic by 2022.

    As mobile operators deploy 5G networks, it’s vital that mobile operators prepare for the disruptive impact that cloud gaming could pose, the company noted.

    “The recent emergence of cloud gaming platforms including Google Stadia, Apple Arcade, Microsoft xCloud and Snap Games has not escaped the attention of the operator community,” said John Giere, president and CEO of Openwave Mobility. “Over-the-top (OTT) players have ambitious plans to become the ‘Netflix for gaming’, hosting libraries of thousands of instantly accessible games that, ultimately, will consume three to four times the amount of bandwidth on 5G networks, compared to standard definition video traffic. Needless to say this will impact mobile operator data strategies.”

    “While 5G network rollouts are still in their infancy, OTTs are already planning augmented, virtual and mixed reality services, in addition to cloud gaming. Combined with the expected continued growth of streaming video, these services will rapidly eat into the additional bandwidth provisions of 5G.”