partnerships

Winsage
July 19, 2025
Microsoft will discontinue its Movies & TV digital storefront on Xbox consoles and Windows devices on July 18, 2025, ending the ability to purchase new movies and TV shows through the Microsoft Store. Users will still have access to previously purchased content via the Movies & TV application on their devices. The closure will affect new entertainment content acquisitions on Microsoft.com and the Microsoft Store on Windows and Xbox, but users can continue to enjoy their existing digital libraries. The refund policy for movies and TV shows will remain unchanged, with purchases being ineligible for refunds. Content portability options are available through Movies Anywhere for U.S. residents, but direct migration to alternative services is largely unavailable. Third-party entertainment services will continue to be available on Microsoft's platforms for new content purchases. The Movies & TV storefront has been operational since 2015, evolving from earlier services. Microsoft will maintain server infrastructure for existing content libraries and provide ongoing support for previously purchased content. Content licensing agreements will dictate the availability of purchased titles.
AppWizard
July 19, 2025
Microtransactions in gaming, particularly in titles like Fortnite and Minecraft, have become common, with some in-game items, such as a new diamond-studded skin in Minecraft, attracting attention for their high costs. Collaborations between gaming brands and luxury companies are also on the rise, with examples including Pokémon Go's partnership with Fendi and Disney Dreamlight Valley's collaboration with Loungefly. The latest collaboration features Minecraft and Swarovski, introducing collectible figures of characters like Alex, Steve, The Pig, and The Creeper, with prices ranging from to 0. Purchasing these figurines grants access to a new in-game skin, the Crystal Suit, which is only available through the purchase of the figurine.
AppWizard
July 17, 2025
The former leadership team of Unknown Worlds has filed a lawsuit against Krafton, claiming that Krafton pressured them to delay the release of Subnautica 2 beyond its expected 2025 launch. The lawsuit alleges that Krafton intentionally delayed the game by withdrawing marketing materials and retracting commitments necessary for pre-launch preparations, aiming to avoid a 0 million payment owed to the founders and employees of Unknown Worlds. Following the acquisition, Krafton reportedly decided to push the game's launch to 2026 to retain revenue while avoiding the payment. Krafton responded by stating that its decisions were made to ensure the game's quality and to meet fan expectations, expressing disappointment over the lawsuit and affirming its commitment to defend its position in court.
AppWizard
July 16, 2025
Ultimate Game Co., Ltd. has formed a strategic partnership with South Korea's Soul M Game Inc. to launch IRIS ORIGIN SEA, a mobile-optimized version of the PC game IRIS, exclusively in Southeast Asia in 2025. The collaboration aims to preserve the authenticity of the original game while enhancing it with new features and cross-platform play. The development has taken over three years using the Unity Engine. Ultimate Game plans to pursue a public listing within five years to support growth. The marketing strategy will focus on digital marketing for precise audience targeting and personalized in-game campaigns.
AppWizard
July 15, 2025
Big Fan Games announced that John Wick Hex will be delisted from all platforms on July 17th. Existing owners will retain access to the game, but new purchases will not be available after the delisting date. John Wick Hex was released on the Epic Games Store in October 2019, initially published by Good Shepherd Entertainment and later transitioned to Big Fan Games in 2024.
AppWizard
July 14, 2025
Google is introducing "featured notebooks" in NotebookLM for desktop users, in partnership with publications like the Atlantic and the Economist. These notebooks provide in-depth advice and analysis, including contributions from Eric Topol and Yellowstone National Park. They are publicly accessible, allowing users to read or generate Audio Overviews. The update, announced on July 14, enhances the app's ability to curate high-quality sources for complex topics. Notable collaborations include public notebooks such as "How to Build a Life" and "The World Ahead 2025." Users can engage with AI for clarification and access AI-generated summaries. The rollout also includes various publicly available notebooks, such as longevity advice from Eric Topol and a science enthusiast’s guide to Yellowstone National Park. The feature builds on the "Public Notebooks" introduced in June, allowing users to compile and share notebooks for collaborative interaction. Discover Sources helps users find credible references by autonomously gathering pertinent information based on user-described topics.
AppWizard
July 8, 2025
Pneuma Games Group has established a new studio, Cast Iron Games, in Tileyard North, Wakefield, specializing in triple-A co-development and games porting. The studio is led by CEO Arden Aspinall and COO Jon Seymour, both of whom have extensive experience in the gaming industry. Cast Iron Games operates as a sister company to Double Eleven, sharing values and principles with it. Aspinall emphasizes the studio's commitment to reliability and quality in client partnerships. Seymour highlights the importance of a collaborative environment for the team, focusing on empowering them to realize clients' creative visions.
Winsage
July 4, 2025
Microsoft announced 9,000 layoffs, bringing the total for the year to over 15,300, including cuts within Xbox. The layoffs are attributed to unrealistic fiscal expectations set by CFO Amy Hood, creating an environment of fear and uncertainty. There is a perception that these layoffs are part of a broader shift towards artificial intelligence, with Microsoft executives and shareholders reportedly resenting the investment in Activision-Blizzard. The company plans to invest billions in new AI training centers globally, raising concerns about the impact on its core gaming and consumer products. Microsoft’s AI products have faced criticism, and the company has been accused of losing sight of the human element in its consumer businesses. The recent layoffs have left employees feeling uncertain about their futures, and there is a growing sentiment that Microsoft lacks a coherent mission or ethos, prioritizing short-term gains over long-term innovation.
AppWizard
June 26, 2025
In June 2000, PC Gamer UK highlighted the emerging world of esports, featuring professional gamers Amir Haleem and Sujoy Roy, who had earned significant prize money and were considering transitioning to full-time gaming careers. The magazine suggested that gaming could become a viable profession, drawing parallels to sports figures like David Beckham. By 2025, Haleem became CEO of a blockchain company, while Roy led partnerships at OG esports, reflecting the evolution of professional gaming careers amid ongoing concerns about sustainability and burnout. The 2000 Channel 4 Dispatches documentary 'Video Nasties' sparked debates about violent video games, claiming they could influence players' perceptions of real-world situations. Anticipation for Team Fortress 2 was high, with promises of innovative gameplay elements, while Bungie's Halo was initially expected as a PC-exclusive but was designed for console controls. The summer of 2000 saw few notable game releases, with The Longest Journey receiving modest reviews. Additionally, Bluetooth technology was beginning to gain traction in the market, although its use in competitive gaming was met with skepticism.
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