sports Archives

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Locate your lost belongings in more ways with Find Hub on Android.

Android's Find My Device is evolving into Find Hub, enhancing tracking for both possessions and loved ones. New features include built-in luggage tracking from July, a partnership with Peak for ski tracking, and Disney-themed Bluetooth tags from Pixbee. Find Hub will introduce nearby finding capabilities using ultra-wide band (UWB) technology with the moto tag. Later this year, satellite connectivity will be integrated for safety in areas without cellular service. Upcoming partnerships will allow easy sharing of Bluetooth tag locations with select airlines to aid in recovering lost luggage, set to roll out early next year.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

Google is testing a feature that turns the Search app into a forum-like thread

Google is piloting a new "Discussion" feature in its Search app, focused on sports-related queries, which allows users to engage in real-time commentary. The feature, resembling a Reddit-style forum, enables users to share thoughts, respond to others, and use upvotes and downvotes. Currently in beta, it is accessible when searching for matchups like "Team vs Team" in the United States, aiming to create a community feel among sports enthusiasts.

BetaBeacon

May 13, 2025

YouTube could score big with an exclusive NFL streaming first

YouTube is in talks to potentially stream its first exclusive NFL game, with reports suggesting that it could happen on the Friday of the opening week. This game would be accessible globally for free, marking a significant shift as YouTube is a free platform unlike Amazon and Netflix.

AppWizard

May 9, 2025

Quake finally makes it into the World Videogame Hall of Fame

Quake has been officially recognized as one of the four inductees into the World Videogame Hall of Fame for 2025. It is a pioneering first-person shooter that introduced mouse controls and real-time 3D graphics, and its extensive mod support contributed to its longevity. Quake's server-client architecture laid the foundation for online gaming and esports. The game's legacy code has influenced many franchises, including Heretic, Hexen, Doom, and Call of Duty. John Romero, co-creator of Quake, expressed his delight at the induction. The 2025 inductees also include Defender, GoldenEye 007, and Tamagotchi.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

EA pauses WRC development

Electronic Arts has paused the development of the World Rally Championship (WRC) franchise, as announced on their official website. The reasons for this decision are not disclosed. EA confirmed that the existing title, EA Sports WRC, will remain available for both current and new players. The company acquired the WRC rights in 2022 when it purchased Codemasters for .2 billion.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

The Story Of Ecstatica, The Groundbreaking Survival Horror With Plenty Of Balls

In the early 1990s, the video game industry was transitioning from 2D to 3D gaming, with titles like Star Fox and Doom emerging. The small UK studio, founded by Andrew Spencer and Alain Maindron, released the groundbreaking game Ecstatica in 1994 after five years of development. Spencer created a unique game engine using ellipsoid graphics, which provided a lifelike quality to characters, inspired by traditional animation techniques. The game received an 8/10 rating from EDGE magazine for its emotional engagement. Spencer expressed ambitions for sequels using his innovative engine to explore new gaming landscapes, but challenges, including the departure of key personnel, led to the shelving of the sequel. Spencer later shifted his career towards academia and research, hinting at ongoing ideas for new projects that have not materialized.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

EA says Codemasters won’t be making any more rally games: ‘We’ve reached the end of the road working on WRC’

Electronic Arts has confirmed that the 2024 season of EA Sports WRC will be the last collaboration with Codemasters on the World Rally Championship series, as EA pauses development plans for future rally titles. Codemasters, acquired by EA in 2021, will shift its focus primarily to Formula 1 racing games, with the upcoming release of F1 25 scheduled for May 30. The FIA acknowledged the advancements in the WRC gaming franchise due to EA Sports and Codemasters and hinted at a new direction for the WRC gaming franchise.

BetaBeacon

April 24, 2025

VR brought out the kid in me again

Plastic Battlegrounds is a sandbox toy-based battle simulator game that allows players to embody a plastic soldier and engage in battles and scenarios in different parts of a house. The game focuses on creativity and imagination rather than advanced AI or cutting-edge graphics.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

Entertainment Marketing Summit to Gather Major Industry Leaders, Lessons Learned From ‘A Minecraft Movie’ and ‘Longlegs’

Variety’s Entertainment Marketing Summit will be held on April 24 at NeueHouse Hollywood in Los Angeles, sponsored by Deloitte. The event will feature in-person panels discussing topics such as impact marketing, the gaming economy, artificial intelligence, and sports fandom, with speakers including Issa Rae and Nicholas Sparks. Cameron Curtis from Warner Bros will present on leveraging social media content creators for marketing, while Christian Parkes from Neon aims to learn about innovative strategies from major studios. This is the eighth year Deloitte has sponsored the summit, emphasizing the importance of research and industry discussions. China Widener from Deloitte highlights the growing influence of Gen Z consumers. Warner Bros is focusing on enhancing its social media presence for upcoming films. Parkes expresses a desire for studios to present more unique and engaging marketing strategies.

BetaBeacon

April 23, 2025

Most top-selling Meta Quest games all share one key trait

Meta Quest has revealed the top 50 best-selling games on their platform, with a variety of genres represented. AAA games like Assassin's Creed Nexus and Metro Awakening did not make the list, while original and immersive games like The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners are among the top earners. The top 3 titles are free-to-play games, indicating that VR gamers are looking for new and exciting experiences. Originality and immersion are key factors in the success of VR games on the Meta Quest platform.