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Stay ahead in the gaming world with our cutting-edge tech blog. Explore the latest game news and reviews, uncover gaming trends, and level up your gaming experience.

Phil Spencer announced the deal on Sunday morning. Gaming 

Microsoft and Sony Strike Deal to Keep Call of Duty on PlayStation

Adriana Marais, , ,

After a prolonged and contentious dispute regarding Microsoft’s planned purchase of Activision Blizzard, the company has reached an agreement with Sony to ensure that the Call of Duty franchise remains available on PlayStation consoles. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer took to Twitter on Sunday morning to announce the binding agreement, expressing satisfaction with the outcome. Spencer also expressed optimism for a future where players worldwide will have increased options to enjoy their preferred games. We are pleased to announce that Microsoft and @PlayStation have signed a binding agreement to keep…

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The total number of Indian online gamers grew from 360 million in 2020 to over 420 million in 2023. Gaming 

Gaming Industry Leaders Urge Government to Reduce GST and Distinguish Skill Gaming from Gambling

Febin Mathew

A group of approximately 127 online gaming companies and organizations have penned an open letter to the government, pleading for the reversal of the 28 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST) imposed on the entire deposit amount. They also implore the government to distinguish skill gaming from betting and gambling, as this has caused considerable distress within the industry. The letter, which was attended by Baazi Games, Dangal Games, Gameskraft Technologies, Nazara Technologies and WinZO Games Private Limited, among others, stated that this move could have devastating consequences (including business…

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Being the largest market for online gaming globally, India overtook China in total downloads this year with a 17% share of global game downloads. (MINT_PRINT) Gaming 

Impact of Tax Increase on India’s Online Gaming Companies Could be Severe

Adarsh V.K,

Over 125 companies in India’s emerging online gaming industry have cautioned the government about the potential consequences of a significant increase in tax rates by the Goods and Services Tax Council. They fear that this decision could lead to substantial losses in investments and job opportunities within the sector. Earlier this week, the council imposed a 28 percent levy on the full face value of online gambling. It’s a blow to an industry that serves more than 420 million Indians, a customer base larger than the population of the United…

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Microsoft and Activision Blizzard are free to close their merger as early as Saturday. Gaming 

Court of Appeals Denies FTC’s Request to Block Microsoft’s Acquisition of Activision

Adriana Marais, , ,

The Federal Trade Commission’s final attempt to halt Microsoft’s $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard has been unsuccessful. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected the agency’s request for an emergency stay on a ruling that permits the deal to move forward in the United States. The temporary injunction was put in place last month to prevent Microsoft and Activision from closing the deal until Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley rules on the FTC’s request for a preliminary injunction. When Corley rejected the FTC’s request for an injunction this week,…

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The 22-year company veteran was one of the most prominent faces of the Xbox brand. Gaming 

Microsoft’s ‘Major Nelson’ Larry Hryb Departing

Adriana Marais, ,

Larry Hryb, also known as “Major Nelson” in the Xbox community, announced via Twitter today that he will be departing from Microsoft. Hryb, who served as the Director of Programming for Xbox Live, has been a prominent figure for the brand for many years. While he did not disclose the specific reasons for his departure, he expressed his intention to take a step back and focus on the next phase of his career. This news comes amidst Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to finalize its acquisition of Activision for $68 billion. Hryb…

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Parkour never felt so... intimate. Gaming 

Experience Unique Sensations with Assassin’s Creed Haptic Shirt

Sanjay Patil,

Have you ever thought that your Assassin’s Creed gameplay lacked a personal touch? Well, Ubisoft is taking a chance and offering you the opportunity to try something new. In collaboration with OWO, the company has introduced the Assassin’s Creed Mirage edition haptic feedback shirt. When you wear it, you’ll experience the thrill of parkour, impacts, and even unique sensations that you’ve never felt before. It seems like you might want some privacy while playing, judging by the immersive sounds it promises. OWO’s shirt contains haptic points on the chest, stomach,…

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It's the first third-party game streaming service on Xbox. Gaming 

Antstream Arcade Brings Over 1000 Retro Games to Xbox One with Cloud Gaming Platform

Adarsh V.K,

Antstream Arcade, the first third-party game streaming service on Xbox, is now providing access to a vast collection of over 1,300 retro game titles on Xbox One and Series X/S. Notable classics like Space Invaders, Metal Slug, and Bubble Bobble are included, and users can enjoy these games instantly without the need for additional downloads or installations through Antstream’s cloud gaming platform. Furthermore, the company plans to continuously expand its library by adding more titles on a weekly basis. The service supports cloud-based game saves, an online leaderboard and the…

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EA has revealed the release date for its first rebranded football title, EA Sports FC 2024. The game will be released on September 29, 2023, and gamers can even see the newly released gameplay trailer now. Gaming 

EA Sports FC 24 Launches On September 29: Get Details On Price, Gameplay Features

Febin Mathew,

If you’re a fan of the EA FIFA franchise games, you’ll be excited to know that it has undergone a rebranding as EA Sports FC. The highly anticipated first installment, EA Sports FC 24, now has an official release date. Mark your calendars for September 29, as the game will be available on various platforms including PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One series, PC, and the Nintendo Switch. The game costs Rs 4,499 or $70 for PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC. The Ultimate Edition…

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The government on Tuesday announced the levy on the $1.5 billion online gaming industry., (Pixabay) Gaming 

Official Warns of Risk Involved in Indian Online Gaming Companies Moving to Avoid Taxation

Adarsh V.K

On Thursday, Vivek Johri, the head of the indirect taxes’ department, warned that Indian online gaming companies may potentially breach the country’s foreign exchange laws if they proceed with their plans to relocate overseas in order to evade a newly imposed 28% tax on the sector. New Delhi does not intend to introduce the tax retroactively, he said in response to speculation that it might do so. The government on Tuesday announced a tax on the $1.5 billion online gaming industry, which has grown in popularity in recent years and…

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The highly customizable Access controller comes with several button and stick caps. Gaming 

Sony’s Accessibility Controller for PS5 to be Available on December 6th

Febin Mathew, , ,

Sony has announced the release date and pricing details for its new accessibility-focused controller, the Access controller, for PlayStation 5 players. The controller will be globally available on December 6th and will cost $90. Preorders will begin on July 21st. In Canada, the peripheral will be priced at $120 CAD, while in the UK it will cost £80, in Europe €90, and in Japan 12,980 yen. The highly customizable controller features four 3.5mm aux ports that allow gamers to connect external buttons, switches and other accessories. The box contains 19…

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It's reportedly focusing research on live service Fortnite-style games and mixed reality. Gaming 

Sony to Increase Investment in Game Development as Rivals Strengthen

Febin Mathew, , ,

According to Nikkei, Sony intends to increase its investment in research and development (R&D) for gaming, with a particular focus on live service games similar to Fortnite and mixed reality. The company plans to allocate $2.13 billion for this segment in fiscal 2023, which will account for approximately 40 percent of its overall R&D spending. This amount is more than double what Sony spent in 2020. The objective behind this increased investment is to enhance its competitiveness in cloud gaming and virtual reality (VR), especially in light of Microsoft’s potential…

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Mark Zuckerberg announced that Roblox will soon come to Meta Quest VR headset. (Roblox) Gaming 

Mark Zuckerberg Announces Roblox Integration with Meta Quest VR Headset

Jim Hendler,

Roblox, a highly popular online gaming platform, is set to become accessible on the Meta Quest VR headset. Mark Zuckerberg initially disclosed this news on his Facebook account, which was subsequently confirmed by both Meta and Roblox through separate announcements. In the upcoming weeks, an open beta version of the app will be introduced in the Quest’s App Lab, paving the way for the official launch of the game platform. Announcing it, Zuckerberg wrote in a Facebook post: “Get ready: Roblox is coming to Meta Quest with an App Lab…

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Passing the costs to gamers is the most likely scenario at the moment, as companies will need to cover the higher taxes somehow. But, again, this could lead to a decrease in the number of gamers and a decrease in revenue for companies Gaming 

Online Gaming Companies Consider Moving to Court Over Government’s 28% GST Levy

Adarsh V.K,

Industry leaders are expressing concerns about the potential consequences of this move, emphasizing the likelihood of higher expenses for gamers, decreased investment, a rise in illegal gambling activities, job losses, diminished innovation, increased piracy, and harm to the industry’s reputation. When GST is passed on to gamers in the form of higher prices for games and in-game products, it makes gaming cheaper and may lead some people to pirate games instead of paying. As such a decision can make legal online gambling more expensive, people may also switch to illegal…

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The rebranded series brings women's players to Ultimate Team for the first time. Gaming 

EA Sports FC 24 to Launch on September 29th for Consoles and PC

Adarsh V.K, ,

EA has announced the release date for the inaugural game of their revamped soccer series, marking the beginning of a fresh chapter. EA Sports FC 24 is set to launch on September 29th, available on various platforms including PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The rebranding comes as EA’s longstanding collaboration with FIFA concluded with FIFA 23, leading to the name alteration. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions were rumored to cost $80, but they weren’t true. The game still costs $70 on…

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Sony has unveiled new games coming for PS Plus Deluxe and Extra subscribers in July. Check the complete list and compatible consoles here. Gaming 

Sony Announces Games for PS Plus July 2023: See the Complete List

Febin Mathew, ,

Sony has announced a lineup of new games exclusively for PS Plus Deluxe and Extra subscribers in July. The selection includes a mix of timeless classics, indie titles, and the acclaimed 2021 Game of The Year, It Takes Two. These games will be available for download starting July 18. Game list Games available for PS Plus Deluxe and additional members It Takes Two | PS4, PS5 Sniper Elite 5 | PS4, PS5 Snowrunner | PS4, PS5 World War Z | PS4, PS5 The Ascent | PS4, PS5 Undertale | PS4…

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The fight's not over yet. Gaming 

FTC Challenges Decision That Would Allow Microsoft’s Acquisition of Activision to Progress

Adriana Marais, , , ,

The Federal Trade Commission is persisting in its efforts to block Microsoft’s planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard, valued at $68.7 billion. The agency has filed an appeal against Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley’s decision to reject their request for a temporary injunction to halt the completion of the deal. The FTC has sued to prevent the merger from happening on antitrust grounds. The administrative trial starts in August, but the deadline for the merger of the companies is July 18. The agency was concerned that Microsoft and Activision would close their…

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You'll be able to report inappopriate chatter in thousands of multiplayer games. Gaming 

Xbox Introduces System-Wide Feature for Reporting Abusive Voice Chat

Nitin Misra, ,

Microsoft is taking further steps to address the issue of toxicity in multiplayer Xbox games. The company is implementing a new functionality that enables players on Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One to record a 60-second video clip of offensive or unsuitable voice chats and send them for evaluation by moderators. “This feature is designed to support the widest range of in-game interactions between players and works in thousands of games that offer in-game multiplayer voice chat, including Xbox 360 backwards compatible titles,” Dave McCarthy, vice president of Xbox Player…

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Zuck says the beta version drops in a few weeks. Gaming 

Meta Quest VR Headsets to Feature Roblox

Jim Hendler, , , ,

Roblox, the widely acclaimed online game creation platform, is set to make its debut in virtual reality (VR) through the Meta Quest platform. The announcement was made by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and was further confirmed by an official blog post from Roblox. In a few weeks, a beta version of the app will be released, allowing users to access it through the dedicated App Lab on the Quest platform. The beta is available for Quest 2 and Quest Pro headsets, so OG Quest owners are out of luck. The…

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This growth is attributed to factors like the increasing use of 5G technology, Cloud gaming, gamification, the popularity of esports tournaments, and the use of mobile gaming devices. Gaming 

Report Predicts India’s Gaming Market to Reach $8.6 Billion with the Aid of 5G and Cloud Technology by 2027

Adarsh V.K, ,

According to a recent report, the gaming industry in India, valued at $2.6 billion in FY2022, is projected to experience an annual growth rate of 27 percent. By the year 2027, it is anticipated to achieve a market worth of $8.6 billion. The growth is due to factors such as the increase in 5G technology, cloud gaming, gamification, the popularity of esports tournaments and the use of mobile gaming devices. According to the State of India Gaming report shared during the third edition of the India Gaming Conclave 2023, India’s…

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The online gaming sector is not pleased with the decision from the GST Council which raises concerns about the future of the industry. Gaming 

GST Ruling To Cause Financial Losses For Online Gaming Industry: Industry Leaders

Jim Hendler, ,

The industry executives have been taken aback by the decision to impose a 28 percent GST on online gaming, horse racing, and other activities. They are uncertain about how the sector can thrive under these restrictions. “The GST Council’s decision to levy 28% GST on online games without differentiating between skill and casual games poses a serious threat to the growth and sustainability of the Indian online gaming industry,” said the management of Kick Games Studios Pvt. Ltd. Other players in the industry, such as Games 24×7, have also shared…

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