Morning Tidings

Tag: games

  • Google vs Epic Games Antitrust Case: Google ‘Crooked’ Bully Having Monopolistic Control Over Mobile Game Developers on Play Store, Says Tim Sweeney

    Google vs Epic Games Antitrust Case: Google ‘Crooked’ Bully Having Monopolistic Control Over Mobile Game Developers on Play Store, Says Tim Sweeney

    San Francisco, November 21: Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has testified in Google vs Epic antitrust case, saying it is a ‘crooked’ bully that has monopolistic control over mobile game developers on Google Play Store. Sweeney told the court here late on Monday that Google called him into its Mountain View, California, headquarters to try to persuade Epic to release the Fortnite game in the Play Store.

    Sweeney said Google tried to entice him with a wide range of financial incentives, which he rejected, reports CBS News. “It seemed like a crooked arrangement. Google was proposing a series of side deals, which seemed designed to convince Epic not to compete against them,” Sweeney told the jury. “I want everybody to see and understand Google exercises de facto control over the availability of apps on Android,” he added. Elon Musk’s X Files Lawsuit Against Media Matters for Interference and Business Disparagement Over Hate-Adjacent Ads Allegations.

    Sweeney’s testimony came less than a week after Google CEO Sundar Pichai defended its Play Store for Android apps. It’s one of two antitrust cases against Google. After rejecting Google’s offers, Epic tried to distribute the Fortnite game for Android through its own website. However, Sweeney testified that effort quickly turned into “a depressing process” because far fewer game players downloaded Fortnite for Android phones than anticipated.

    “We realised Google was a difficult adversary and had the ability to obstruct us,” Sweeney was quoted as saying. Epic eventually released Fortnite in the Play Store in 2020. The alternative payment option was released in August 2020 in revised Fortnite apps for both the Play Store and the iPhone app store, prompting both Apple and Google to block it within a few hours. WhatsApp Features Discussion: WABetaInfo Announces Discussion for App Features in Weekly Summary, Invites Users To Provide Feedback.

    “It’s an issue I see as existential to all games, including Epic,” Sweeney said. Sweeney also said he would have taken Sony to court over PlayStation cross-play. “We were willing to fight them in court if necessary,” he said.

    (The above story first appeared on Morning Tidings on Nov 21, 2023 12:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website morningtidings.com).

  • Epic Games Introduces Voice Reporting For Fortnite Players To Take Action Against Players Using Voice Chats To Bully and Harass Others

    Epic Games Introduces Voice Reporting For Fortnite Players To Take Action Against Players Using Voice Chats To Bully and Harass Others

    San Francisco, November 16: Epic Games on Thursday introduced voice reporting in its popular game Fortnite to take action against players using voice chat to bully, harass, discriminate, or engage in other inappropriate behaviour. Now, in addition to being able to block, mute, and report other players, the players will be able to submit audio evidence when reporting suspected violations of the company’s Community Rules.

    “When voice reporting is on, the last five minutes of voice chat audio are captured on a rolling basis. This means only the immediate last five minutes of audio is reportable. As new audio is captured, any previous audio that’s more than five minutes old is automatically deleted,” informed the company.

    Voice chat audio is captured on your device — for example your gaming console or PC — not the Epic Games servers. “Audio clips submitted to Epic for review will be auto-deleted after 14 days or the duration of a sanction, whichever is longer. In the event of an appeal, retention may be extended for up to 14 days so the sanction decision can be reviewed,” said the company.

    If Epic needs to retain an audio clip to comply with legal obligations, it will be retained for as long as legally required. Voice reporting is always on for voice chats that include players under 18. “If you’re a parent, you can manage your child’s voice chat permissions by logging into the Epic Account Portal and using Epic’s existing Parental Controls,” the company noted. YouTube New Feature Update: Google-Owned Platform Testing New GenAI Feature To Help People Create Music Tracks Using Text Prompts or Hummed Tune.

    To report inappropriate conduct happening in voice chat, you can report a conversation in a Party or Game Channel. The Fortnite voice reporting cannot be used to report conversations on other chat services (such as Discord or your console’s chat) because they are not operated by Epic, the company informed.

    (The above story first appeared on Morning Tidings on Nov 16, 2023 07:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website morningtidings.com).

  • Sundar Pichai To Testify in Epic Game’s Lawsuit Against Google in US Court Next Week: Report

    Sundar Pichai To Testify in Epic Game’s Lawsuit Against Google in US Court Next Week: Report

    San Francisco, November 10: Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai is likely to testify in Epic Games’s lawsuit against Google in a US court next week. The Fortnite game developer seeks to call Pichai as a witness on Tuesday as it makes its case alleging that Google Play is an unlawful monopoly, reports The Verge.

    “In court documents, Google requested to use a podium in the courtroom on Tuesday, which suggests that Pichai may indeed appear to testify,” the report noted. Last month, in the US vs. Google case, Pichai stood behind a podium instead of sitting because of “apparent back issues”. The lawsuit was filed after Google pulled Fortnite from the Play store. Epic is arguing that Google’s monopolistic control on its Google Play Store for Android smartphones violates both state and federal antitrust laws. OpenAI Introduces ‘Data Partnership’ To Work With Organizations To Produce Public and Private Datasets For Training AI Models.

    Meanwhile, Google offered a $147 million deal to game developer Epic Games to launch its popular game Fortnite on Google Play store, the tech giant told the court. Purnima Kochikar, Vice President, Play Partnerships at Google, said in her testimony that the deal was approved and presented to Epic but not accepted, reports The Verge. The deal would have seen the money dispensed over a three-year period of “incremental funding” (ending in 2021) to Epic. Ai Pin by Humane Runs on Voice Commands and Hand Motions, Check More Details Including Price of New Wearable AI-Powered Smartphone Alternative.

    In a document justifying the deal, Google wrote that “Fortnite’s absence could result in $130 million (up to $250 million) direct revenue loss with Play” and that there could be a “downstream impact of $550 million (up to $3.6 billion) potential revenue loss if broad contagion to other developers”. The Epic vs Google trial began this week on Monday. Google has defended its 30 per cent cut on transactions for apps via its Play store.

  • Google Tells Court That It Offered USD 147 Million to Epic Games To Launch Fortnite on Google Play Store

    Google Tells Court That It Offered USD 147 Million to Epic Games To Launch Fortnite on Google Play Store

    San Francisco, November 9: Google offered a $147 million deal to game developer Epic Games to launch its popular game Fortnite on Google Play store, the tech giant has told the court. Purnima Kochikar, Vice President, Play Partnerships at Google, said in her testimony that the deal was approved and presented to Epic but not accepted, reports The Verge.

    The deal would have seen the money dispensed over a three-year period of “incremental funding” (ending in 2021) to Epic.In a document justifying the deal, Google wrote that “Fortnite’s absence could result in $130 million (up to $250 million) direct revenue loss with Play” and that there could be a “downstream impact of $550 million (up to $3.6 billion) potential revenue loss if broad contagion to other developers”. Microsoft-Owned GitHub Now Has 13.2 Million Developers in India, With 3.5 Million Joining Platform This Year Alone.

    “We just wanted developers to choose Play,” Kochikar said in the testimony. The Epic vs Google trial began on Monday. Google defended its 30 per cent cut on transactions for apps via its Play store. According to The Verge, Google attorney Glenn Pomerantz described the 30 per cent share as “a market fee, not a monopoly fee.”

    “The service fee you see here is exactly the same fee that Epic pays in the Nintendo store, the Xbox store, the Steam store,” he said in the court. “All these stores charge a mega developer like Epic the same 30 per cent fee.” Steve Allison, head of the Epic Games Store, disputed that 30 per cent is the standard. Disney+ Hotstar Loses 2.8 Million Subscribers in India in Quarter Ending September 30, Now Has 37.8 Million Subscribers From 40.4 Million in Q2.

    The lawsuit was filed after Google pulled Fortnite from the Play store. Epic is arguing that Google’s monopolistic control on its Google Play Store for Android smartphones violates both state and federal antitrust laws.

    (The above story first appeared on Morning Tidings on Nov 09, 2023 12:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website morningtidings.com).

  • Microsoft Reveals Its Best Xbox Games of 2022 Which Gamers Would Love To Get Their Hands On

    Microsoft Reveals Its Best Xbox Games of 2022 Which Gamers Would Love To Get Their Hands On

    New Delhi, December 30 : As 2022 is coming to an end, Microsoft on Friday revealed its best Xbox games of 2022 that gamers will want to get their hands on to wrap up the year. Starting with the racing game of the year, the latest edition of the “Forza Horizon 5 Hot Wheels” has been specially enhanced for Xbox Series X/S. Google Rolls Out ‘Suspected Spam Caller’ Label on Voice To Warn Users About Spam Calls.

    With photorealistic graphics, authentic sounds, a life-like environment, and immense detailing, it sets the tone for next-gen gaming. The next in the line is “Sea of Thieves”, which lets gamers sail the open seas as a pirate with fellow shipmates, looting islands, tackling a gigantic Kraken, and sinking other ships.

    “Grounded”, which tells the story of a shrunken teenager trying to return to normal size while navigating Grounded’s reactive world, is one of the best survival games of the year, the company mentioned. Apple iPhone’s ‘Find My’ Feature Helps Rescue Car Crash Victim Again in US.

    With new creatures, locations, and surprises, it puts gamers’ creative skills to the test. “Gears 5”, packed with horror, action, and power gives gamers the satisfaction of a quick reload, also the captivating storytelling, shooting mechanics, and excellent graphics give the game an edge.

    The third-person shooter game is the sixth entry in the franchise and direct sequel to Gears of War 4, continuing the story of the Coalition of Ordered Government’s (COG) fight against an enemy force — the Swarm.

    Lastly, a murder mystery game, “Pentiment”, inspired by medieval art and weaves an unmatched narrative, lets players shape their character into anything from a pious theologian to a rebellious hooligan in 16th-century Italy. Diving deep into history, this game has charm and appeal from and for the ages, said the company.

    (The above story first appeared on Morning Tidings on Dec 30, 2022 01:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website morningtidings.com).

  • Fortnite Maker Epic Games To Pay USD 520 Million Fine Over Kids’ Privacy Violations

    Fortnite Maker Epic Games To Pay USD 520 Million Fine Over Kids’ Privacy Violations

    New York, December 19: The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Monday said it has reached a $520 million settlement with Epic Games, creator of the popular video game Fortnite, over allegations that the company violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and deployed design tricks, known as dark patterns, to dupe millions of players into making unintentional purchases.

    Fortnite made over $9 billion during its first two years in existence. Epic will pay a $275 million penalty for violating children’s privacy law, change default privacy settings, and pay $245 million in refunds for tricking users into making unwanted charges. Fortress Night, Chinese Version of Video Game Fortnite, To Shut Down in China From November 15.

    “As our complaints note, Epic used privacy-invasive default settings and deceptive interfaces that tricked Fortnite users, including teenagers and children,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. Epic Games Announces In-Person Fortnite Competition in November 2022.

    “Protecting the public, and especially children, from online privacy invasions and dark patterns is a top priority for the Commission, and these enforcement actions make clear to businesses that the FTC is cracking down on these unlawful practices,” Khan said in a statement.

    Epic’s video game Fortnite is generally free to download and play but charges users for in-game items such as costumes and dance moves. The game has more than 400 million users worldwide. The FTC alleged in two separate complaints that North Carolina-based Epic engaged in several unlawful practices.

    In a complaint filed in a federal court, the FTC alleged that Epic violated the COPPA Rule by collecting personal information from children under 13 who played Fortnite, a child-directed online service, without notifying their parents or obtaining their parents’ verifiable consent. Epic also violated the FTC Act’s prohibition against unfair practices by enabling real-time voice and text chat communications for children and teens by default.

    “The Justice Department takes very seriously its mission to protect consumers’ data privacy rights,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “This proposed order sends a message to all online providers that collecting children’s personal information without parental consent will not be tolerated.”

    In addition to paying the record civil penalty, which goes to the US Treasury, for violating the COPPA Rule, the order will prohibit Epic from enabling voice and text communications for children and teens unless parents (of users under 13) or teenage users (or their parents) provide their affirmative consent through a privacy setting.

    In a separate complaint, the FTC alleged that Epic used dark patterns to trick players into making unwanted purchases and let children rack up unauthorised charges without any parental involvement.

    “Epic put children and teens at risk through its lax privacy practices, and cost consumers millions in illegal charges through its use of dark patterns,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

    Under the proposed orders, the company will be required to change its default settings, return millions to consumers, and pay a record-breaking penalty for its privacy abuses, Levine added.

    (The above story first appeared on Morning Tidings on Dec 19, 2022 11:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website morningtidings.com).

  • Man With Largest Video Game Collection Has 24,000 Games; Gets Recognized by Guinness World Records in Multiple Categories

    Man With Largest Video Game Collection Has 24,000 Games; Gets Recognized by Guinness World Records in Multiple Categories

    It’s one thing to be a video game enthusiast, and it’s another to hold the most extensive collection of different categories of video games, typically something that is every gamer’s dream. But 45-year-old gamer from Texas, USA, Antonio Romero Monteiro, has broken several records in the video category, ranging from the largest collection of Xbox and Nintendo items to the largest collection of videogames overall. He was recognized on 19 December 2021 and, since then, has held the title with 24,268 games with an estimated worth of 2.1 million dollars. View his collection below. World’s Oldest Dog Living Is 22-Year-Old Gino Wolf; Takes Title from Former Oldest Dog for Guinness World Record (View Pics).

    Antonio Romero Monteiro Has The Largest Video Game Collection

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  • Tesla Rolls Out Holiday Update, New Features Such As Steam Games and Apple Music Added To Model S and Model X Vehicles

    Tesla Rolls Out Holiday Update, New Features Such As Steam Games and Apple Music Added To Model S and Model X Vehicles

    San Francisco, December 14 : Tesla on Wednesday announced that it is rolling out a new holiday update which includes several new features such as Steam games and Apple Music. On Twitter, the automaker said the new update will bring thousands of Steam games to the new Model S and Model X vehicles. The Apple Music app is also being integrated inside the Tesla vehicles, joining other music streaming apps already in the cars, like Spotify. Tesla Model 3 Prototype With Camouflage Spotted Ahead of Expected Redesign.

    The update also brings the Dog mode or Sentry Mode which allows users to view the cabin camera from the Tesla application to keep an eye on their dogs when they are alone in the car. With the Light Show feature, users can schedule light shows on multiple vehicles simultaneously to create their own orchestra of light. Tesla Electric Semis Delivered to PepsiCo at Nevada Factory (Watch Video).

    Additionally, the automaker announced that the “Track mode is coming to Model Y” vehicles. The update also provides other features such as the ability to “control your garage door remotely using MyQ from your touchscreen”, “make Zoom calls with the cabin camera” and “emissions testing mode in Tesla app.”

    (The above story first appeared on Morning Tidings on Dec 14, 2022 11:51 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website morningtidings.com).

  • Playtika Laysoffs: Israeli Mobile Games Company Sacks Neary 15% of Its Workforce

    Playtika Laysoffs: Israeli Mobile Games Company Sacks Neary 15% of Its Workforce

    Tel Aviv, December 13: Israeli mobile games company Playtika has laid off 15 per cent of its workforce, or about 615 employees, across Europe, Israel and the US, the media reported.

    According to TechCrunch, the company which publishes titles such as ‘Best Fiends’ will also completely discontinue three games, ‘MergeStories’, ‘Dicelife’ and ‘Ghost Detective’ as it seeks to rationalise costs across the board. PharmEasy Layoffs: Indian Healthtech Startup Sacks More Employees Amid Funding Crunch.

    “Playtika’s success is rooted in our agility, efficiency, creativity and obsession with delivering the most fun forms of mobile entertainment to our players,” CEO Robert Antokol was quoted as saying.

    “We believe the structure announced today further leverages our core strengths of delivering superior in-game experiences and scaling mobile games to global franchises in continuation of growth. Saying goodbye to talented colleagues and friends is difficult,” he added. Zomato Layoffs: Food Delivery App Sacks Nearly 100 Employees Across Functions, 4% Cut in Workforce Likely, Says Report.

    As the tech sector as a whole continues to struggle, Playtika, a public company on Nasdaq, has had an especially difficult year, according to the report. After its IPO in June 2021, it reached a market capitalisation of over $14 billion on its first day of trading with a share price of $27 and a valuation of over $11 billion.

    The company saw a significant rise in usage among pandemic consumers who were locked up at home and avoiding in-person social situations, said the report.

    Playtika, which was founded in 2010, has been known for its casino-themed games and operates apps for poker and solitaire. Back in June, Playtika laid off 250 employees, or about 6 per cent of its workforce, in three game development studios in Los Angeles, Montreal and London.

    (The above story first appeared on Morning Tidings on Dec 13, 2022 12:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website morningtidings.com).

  • Game Addiction: Canadian Parents Sue Epic Games’ Fortnite Creator for ‘Addictive’ Game

    Game Addiction: Canadian Parents Sue Epic Games’ Fortnite Creator for ‘Addictive’ Game

    San Francisco, December 12: A group of Canadian parents has sued the maker of the video game Fortnite, claiming it turns kids into gaming addicts, which makes them stop eating, sleeping and bathing. According to BBC, a Canadian Supreme Court judge has approved the lawsuit filed by parents against Epic Games’ Fortnite.

    The court documents said that the World Health Organization recognised video game addiction in 2018. Epic Games said that it had “industry-leading parental controls that empower parents to supervise their child’s digital experience”, according to the report. Gaming Addiction: Park in Lucknow’s Kashmiri Mohalla Is Now PUBG Haven.

    “Parents can receive playtime reports that track the amount of time their child plays each week, and require parental permission before purchases are made,” the company said.

    “We plan to fight this in court. We believe the evidence will show that this case is meritless,” it added. In the lawsuit, one of the children cited having played the game for more than 7,700 hours in less than two years, said the report. Gaming Addiction: Psychiatrists Warn Parents About Child Behaviour Following Murder Case in Lucknow.

    Furthermore, the legal action claims that the game was purposefully designed to be “highly addictive”. More than 350 million people have played the popular online game.

    While the game is free to play, players pay to use in-game money called “V Bucks”. The game has made more than $9 billion worldwide, the report added.

    (The above story first appeared on Morning Tidings on Dec 12, 2022 07:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website morningtidings.com).