Games Industry Biz reports: “Xsolla, a firm that provides payment solutions and other services to the games industry, has announced its acquisition of AcceleratXR. AcceleratXR is an in-game server backend provider of live service games. It was founded in 2018 and provides multiplayer support for online games, apps, and extended reality titles.”
The Verge reports: “OpenAI posted today that ChatGPT can once more trawl the web for current information, offering answers taken directly from “current and authoritative” sources, which it cites in its responses. The feature, called Browse with Bing, is only open to those with Plus and Enterprise subscriptions for now, but the company says it will roll it out “to all users soon.'”
VGC reports: “The Assassin’s Creed publisher recently agreed to acquire cloud gaming rights outside the European Economic Area for all Activision Blizzard games released over the next 15 years, should Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of the Call of Duty maker go through, as is now expected.”
Music Ally reports: “YouTube, Vevo and Roxi are among the companies who’ve been exploring music’s potential on smart TVs. Now one of the manufacturers of those devices, LG, is testing the waters with its own partnership. It is working with web3 startup Label Foundation to make the latter’s ‘Tracks’ music service available through its smart TVs.”
TechCrunch reports: “OpenAI is in discussions to possibly sell shares in a move that would boost the company’s valuation from $29 billion to somewhere between $80 billion and $90 billion, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing people familiar with the talks. Employees would be allowed to sell their existing shares rather than the company issuing new ones, The Wall Street Journal said.”
Variety reports: “A new trade group — the Streaming Innovation Alliance — brings together Netflix, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount and other players to promote their interests to politicians and government entities. It marks the first time competing streaming-video providers have banded together in a unified lobbying front.”
Games Industry Biz reports: “Supercell is ready to move beyond mobile, as the company today confirmed that it has acquired a majority stake in Melbourne-based Ultimate Studio “to explore Supercell’s ambitions to expand to other platforms.” Ultimate is the studio behind the arcade-style racing game Hot Lap League, which is available on Steam for PCs and as a premium app on Google Play and the App Store.”
The Verge reports: “Apple just made its biggest push in decades to boost original content on its podcast app, which has been refreshed with the recent update to iOS 17. It’s also casting a wider net for its audience by allowing users to connect through third-party apps. Following up on Apple’s WWDC announcements in June, more than 60 original podcasts are now available to Apple Music, Apple News Plus, Calm, and Lingokids subscribers.”
Broadband TV News reports: “MainStreaming is continuing the expansion of the DAZN Edge platform in DAZN’s core European markets. DAZN Edge, introduced in 2021, is responsible for the delivery of the majority of DAZN content across its core European markets. DAZN is not afraid to innovate to deliver the best experience for its viewers. A mission that led to the selection of MainStreaming as a technology and service provider.”
GamesBeat reports: “Alongside its rebrand, EA Sports FC is revamping its esports ecosystem, welcoming global football/soccer leagues into the fold. The newly dubbed EA SPORTS FC Pro esports program will find the best Ultimate Team players from around the world. The program will host open-bracket competitions and leagues in partnership with the world’s top soccer federations to crown a champion.”
