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Google Planning to Get Into Gaming Business

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Google may be about to take its most serious steps to get into the videogame business. The company is developing a subscription-based game streaming service that could work either on Google’s Chromecast or possibly a Google-made console still being developed, according to people with knowledge of the project.

The service, codenamed Yeti, would put Google at the forefront of a nascent part of the videogame business, one that lets people play games as they’re being streamed, rather than using downloads or disks. If Google is successful, it could grab a piece of the $109 billion videogame market. It also represents the latest effort by Google to establish a presence in the home, following its recent launch of the Google Home voice-activated speaker and success with the Chromecast for streaming video.

Google recently hired Phil Harrison, a long-time gaming industry veteran. Sources indicate he is closely involved with the project. Harrison spent 15 years as the head of Sony’s network of game studios and three years as a senior member of Microsoft’s Xbox team. Since leaving those companies, he has served as an adviser and board member to various gaming companies.

Gaming

Spyro the Dragon Soars Onto Xbox Game Pass

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Microsoft has hinted at the arrival of Spyro the Dragon on its Xbox Game Pass subscription service. In a subtle post on X/Twitter, Xbox Game Pass showcased a mysterious chest with the message: “Hey uhh who left this chest here?” The official Spyro account responded with an emoji, suggesting that something exciting is on the horizon but not yet officially announced.

Speculation points to the inclusion of Spyro: Reignited Trilogy, a critically acclaimed collection by Toys for Bob, on Game Pass. Released in 2018, this trilogy includes remakes of the first three Spyro games: Spyro the Dragon (1998), Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage! (1999), and Spyro: Year of the Dragon (2000). As of September 2023, the trilogy had sold over 10 million copies.

The first wave of Game Pass’ November 2024 lineup concludes with the November 19 launch of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Microsoft is expected to announce the second wave of releases soon.

The addition of Spyro to Game Pass would be part of the ongoing integration of Activision Blizzard games into the service, following Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of the company last year. Game Pass already features titles such as Blizzard’s Diablo 4 and Activision’s recently released Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, with more to come.

Stay tuned for more updates on the exciting developments from Xbox Game Pass.

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Nintendo Sues Gamer for Streaming Pirated Games Before Release

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Nintendo has taken legal action against gamer Jesse Keighin, known online as Every Game Guru, for streaming pirated Nintendo games, including The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, before their official release dates. The lawsuit, filed in a Colorado court, accuses Keighin of not only streaming 10 Nintendo games before their launch but also instructing his viewers on how to obtain these games. Titles involved in the suit include Super Mario Party Jamboree and Mario & Luigi: Brothership.

According to the lawsuit, Keighin has been streaming leaked Nintendo games at least 50 times since 2022 and provided links to emulators such as Yuzu and Ryujinx. Nintendo claims these actions amount to “trafficking” in illegal “circumvention devices,” causing millions of dollars in lost video game sales.

Despite multiple takedown notices from Nintendo, Keighin continued to stream the company’s games on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and Kick. As a result, his YouTube and Twitch channels have been taken offline due to copyright strikes.

The lawsuit also alleges that Keighin sent a letter to Nintendo in late October, boasting about having “a thousand burner channels” to continue streaming from, indicating his intent to persist with these activities.

Nintendo is seeking $150,000 in damages for each alleged violation of its rights under the Copyright Act and $2,500 per violation of the anti-circumvention and anti-trafficking provisions of the Copyright Act. With over 50 alleged incidents in the past two years, potential damages could reach $7.5 million. Alternatively, Nintendo could seek “actual damages” to be proven at trial.

This lawsuit is part of Nintendo’s ongoing battle against emulators. Earlier this year, Yuzu developer Tropic Haze agreed to pay Nintendo $2.4 million in a settlement, and last month, Ryujinx reportedly ended development after discussions with Nintendo. In 2021, Gary Bowser, a member of the Nintendo hacking group Team Xecuter, was sentenced to 40 months in prison and fined $14.5 million. Nintendo is also currently suing Palworld maker Pocketpair for alleged patent infringement.

Nintendo continues to take a firm stance against piracy and emulation, protecting its intellectual property and ensuring fair play in the gaming community.

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“Aunt Fatima” Showcased at NVIDIA Studio Nights 3 in Riyadh

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A rising star in the world of game development is making waves in Riyadh with his gripping new horror game, Aunt Fatima. Showcased during NVIDIA Studio Nights 3 in Riyadh, Saudi content creator and developer Abdullah Hamad captivates players with a chilling tale of kidnapping, survival, and escape, all set against a backdrop that highlights the urban beauty of Riyadh.

Aunt Fatima is a psychological horror game that plunges players into a dark and twisted narrative. The story follows a kidnapped individual trapped in the clutches of Aunt Fatima and her sinister husband. The game’s protagonist is one of the few who manage to escape the harrowing experience, adding a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. As players navigate a dimly lit, ominous mansion, they must solve puzzles, evade the creepy couple, and uncover secrets that lead to their freedom.

Abdullah Hamad, the Creator of Aunt Fatima

In just six months, Abdullah Hamad transformed from an amateur game developer into the creator of a fully functional, intense horror experience. His journey began in April 2024, when Abdullah, who worked as a media content creator, was tasked with creating a video for an event at work. Using Unreal Engine to design the main menu for the project, he became intrigued by game development tutorials. Abdullah’s curiosity soon blossomed into passion, and by October, he had completed Aunt Fatima, a suspenseful horror game that has captivated audiences in the region.

Abdullah’s transition into game development exemplifies the power of passion and self-learning. What began as a curiosity about Unreal Engine for his work in CGI quickly evolved into a full-blown game project. “It was never my intention to become a game developer, but I found myself deeply fascinated by the process. I started watching tutorials, experimenting with the engine, and before I knew it, I had built a playable game,” said Abdullah.

His journey illustrates how digital tools like Unreal Engine are democratizing the creation of video games, allowing independent developers to build and share their creations with the world. Aunt Fatima is a testament to how talent can emerge from unexpected places, driven by innovation, determination, and the power of online learning.

As Riyadh evolves as a hub for innovation and technology, Aunt Fatima stands as a testament to the thriving creative community within the Kingdom, showcasing the unique talents emerging from the heart of Saudi Arabia. This story celebrates not only the game but also the growing potential of Saudi Arabia’s gaming industry, a sector that continues to inspire innovation and creativity on the global stage.

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