Is Microsoft creating a monopoly after Activision Blizzard deal?
Microsoft is on the brink of acquiring Activision Blizzard for a record fee of $68.7bn. Having already landed the Bethesda deal last year, is the conglomerate potentially underway with a full-scale gaming monopoly? If the cringe, social media driven console wars are even still a thing, this is the equivalent...
Current in Gaming
Twitch begins its clampdown on hate raids after streamer boycotts
After streamers staged a 24-hour boycott on the platform in response to recurring hate raids, Twitch has finally started its legal clampdown on key offenders behind in-app harassment. For RekitRaven and other key streamers behind the growing #TwitchDoBetter movement, it’s safe to say: congratulations, the platform has definitely responded. Late last...
Minecraft library liberates gamers in censored countries
One of the most successful sandbox video games of all time once again proves its versatility outside of tree-punching and cave-exploring by providing a journalism sanctuary for its 126 million active players. Thinking outside the box Oppressive governments and growingly sophisticated systems of surveillance have led to an increase of censorship...
Twitch streamers plan 24-hour boycott in response to ‘hate raids’
Twitch streamers from marginalised communities have regularly spoken out against abuse and harassment they receive on the platform. With instances of ‘hate raids’ continuing to slip past moderators, a day long boycott now aims to drive change. If you’re big into streaming, you’ll likely have seen the hashtag ‘#TwitchDoBetter’ bouncing...
Vine’s creator working on bizarre new NFT console Supdrive
Dom Hofmann, a founder of both Vine and Byte, has announced a firmware console called Supdrive. Using NFTs as game cartridges, each title will be unique to each player. This whole NFT trend is getting pretty out of hand now. Dom Hofmann, the founder of TikTok’s 2012 ancestor Vine, has recently...
US politicians call on gaming companies to axe coercive spending
Building on legislation outlined by the UK, US Congress members are calling for developers to better protect young people from ‘predatory’ game mechanics like loot boxes. In 2021, gaming is all about value for money. Subscription services like Games Pass, PlayStation Now, and EA Play are popping with hundreds of...
Netflix eyes game development to expand its community
Netflix is expanding its service to feature video games and has on-boarded EA and Facebook executives to head up game development. Will this strengthen the belief that subscriptions are the future of the industry? Between binging an endless library of films, tacky reality shows, satirical cartoons, and high-brow TV dramas, it’s safe to say most of us with Netflix subscriptions are already getting our money’s worth. With over 200 million subscribers from...
Gaming giant Razer is engineering a robot to clean ocean waste
Razer, renowned for building top end hardware and accessories, has lent its engineering nous to ocean clean-up efforts. This is said to be the first of many sustainable projects Razer will boost in 2021. When it comes to high end gaming hardware, Razer is one of the first companies that springs to mind. If you’re not big on gaming, take the word of someone writing this article on a Razer...
Sony announces Discord integration for PlayStation
Sony has announced plans to integrate its PlayStation Network with Discord early next year. Could this deal be a gamechanger in bringing the console giant more in-line with the values of young people? If Microsoft acquiring Bethesda was the biggest gaming coup of 2021, Sony has just secured a deal to arguably take the title for 2022 already. This week, Sony has announced plans to team up with popular chat...
NASA leverages gamers to save the world’s coral reefs
As rising temperatures continue to bleach delicate coral ecosystems, NASA scientists are turning to gamers to help map out the ocean floor. If you’re willing to put your candy crushing obsession aside for a bit, NASA is offering gamers the opportunity to partake in a mission of global importance. Despite covering less than a percent of the ocean floor, coral reefs are home to more than a quarter of all marine...
