A little more than a year after launching the ROG Ally, Asus is releasing a refined version of its portable device, the ROG Ally X. This Windows-based machine starts shipping on July 22 for $800. I’ve been playing with the portable console for a few days, and there’s already a lot to like — especially […]
The Asus ROG Ally X turns PC gaming into a portable console Read More »
Employees at Bethesda Game Studios — the Microsoft-owned game developer that produces the Elder Scrolls and Fallout franchises — are joining the Communication Workers of America. Quality assurance testers at Bethesda’s parent organization ZeniMax unionized last year, becoming Microsoft’s first official union in the United States. In its announcement, the CWA calls Bethesda’s new union
Bethesda Game Studios employees form a ‘wall-to-wall’ union Read More »
A group of former Google DeepMind researchers have created an AI behavior engine that aims to transform traditional video games into a more dynamic experience by improving how non-playable characters (NPCs) behave and interact with gamers. There’s no shortage of companies using AI to generate NPCs that feel more realistic, but Canada-based Artificial Agency, fresh
Artificial Agency raises $16M to use AI to make NPCs feel more realistic in video games Read More »
If you play Wordle every day but also happen to enjoy chess, we’ve got great news for you. Echo Chess, a game built by a company called Echo Chunk, is trying to become Wordle for Chess. No, you’re not playing Wordle but only guessing words like “QUEEN” or “CHECK.” Echo Chess is a daily puzzle
This startup wants to make Wordle for chess Read More »
Echo Chunk, a company that is building Wordle-styled daily chess puzzle game Echo Chess, has raised $1.4 million in pre-seed from a16z Speedrun (Andreessen Horowitz’s early stage games accelerator), founder of Zyanga Mark Pincus, South Park Commons (SPC), Opendoor founder and CEO Eric Wu and Stef Corazza, the Head of Generative AI at Roblox. Sami
For over a decade, real-money gaming companies and fantasy sports startups have marketed themselves as video game companies. But as these businesses face increasing regulatory scrutiny, a coalition of more than 70 video game companies in India is urging the government to create a clear distinction between their industries. In a letter to Prime Minister
Indian game firms want to distance themselves from fantasy sports Read More »
Meta plans to bring more generative AI tech into games, specifically VR, AR and mixed reality games, as the company looks to reinvigorate its flagging metaverse strategy. According to a job listing, Meta is seeking to research and prototype “new consumer experiences” with new types of gameplay driven by generative AI, like games that “change
Meta plans to bring generative AI to metaverse games Read More »
For an indie developer building a game on their own, compliance with regulations is likely the last thing on their list of priorities — they first have to finish writing the code, designing the mechanics, and run endless rounds of tests to make sure the game is actually fun to play. But compliance is often
k-ID wins $45M to help game devs speedrun the child safety compliance puzzle Read More »
With its list of Apple Design Awards winners, Apple is celebrating indie apps and startups over bigger tech firms — including those offering AI chatbots. At a time when its App Store model has been called into question by legislators and regulators alike, Apple’s annual list of what it considers the best and most technically
Apple’s Design Awards winners highlight indies and startups Read More »
In 2018, Fitbit launched Ace, a wearable tracker for kids. On Wednesday, it’s adding Ace LTE to the line, a device aimed at the same demographic that borrows heavily from its smartwatch, Versa. The Google-owned wearable firm is targeting the 7+ crowd with this one, focusing on gaming with Wii-style motion control, along with location
Fitbit’s new kid smartwatch is a little Wiimote, a little Tamagotchi Read More »
