Good morning, it’s Monday, September 9. 2024 has been a year where the gaming industry is undergoing a silent revolution, we uncover the games that are leading the charge and what the future holds for us in our latest feature. We also look into Microsoft’s $24 Billion investment into Saudi Arabia, the reveal of AAA game set in Ancient India, Microsoft’s criticism of Apple and more.
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2024 Unleashed: The Year Gaming Breaks All Rules
After years on a monotonous loop, recycling one successful formula after another, 2024 is hitting the reset button on the gaming industry’s creativity crisis. With groundbreaking titles like Palworld, Balatro, Helldivers 2, Astro Bot, and EA Sports College Football making waves, this year marks a bold departure from the safe plays of yesteryears. These games aren't just tweaking old recipes—they're cooking up entirely new genres with innovative mechanics and captivating narratives.
Gone are the days of relentless battle royales and sprawling, predictable open worlds. Instead, 2024 is all about audacious risks and inventive gameplay. Palworld throws players into a chaotic blend of adorable creature collecting and ruthless survival tactics, while Balatro transforms strategic deck-building into a wild, unpredictable romp through a magical circus.
Our feature article unpacks why 2024 is turning into a landmark year for the gaming industry. As gamers push back against the tide of repetitive content, 2024 emerges as a crucial year, poised to revolutionize the gaming landscape with its daring approach. This isn’t just a revival of creativity—it’s a game-changing evolution that’s setting the stage for the future of gaming..
Microsoft Invests $24 Billion to Boost Saudi Arabia’s Tech Ecosystem
Microsoft has reportedly made a $24 billion investment in Saudi Arabia, a move that not only aims to revolutionize the Kingdom's tech landscape but also aligns with its growing focus on the gaming and esports sectors. This initiative is set to create 80,000 new jobs, with 21,000 positions dedicated to the technology sector, underscoring a significant push towards digital transformation across multiple industries.
Key components of this investment include the expansion of cloud data centers, which will enhance digital services and support local businesses, and a comprehensive human capital development program. In collaboration with the Kingdom’s Ministry of Communications, Microsoft will offer training in artificial intelligence (AI), cloud technologies, and cybersecurity, essential skills that also play a crucial role in the development of gaming and esports infrastructure.
Moreover, this investment dovetails with Microsoft’s recent strategic expansions into the gaming sector, including its enhancements in cloud gaming technologies. Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia’s own investments in the Savvy Games Group, which focuses on the long-term growth of esports and the broader games industry, indicate a shared vision. Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a global hub for technology and digital gaming, and could potentially leverage Microsoft’s investment to attract further global technology and gaming enterprises.
Quick Bytes
Tara Gaming Announces "Bharatvarsha": An Ambitious AAA Franchise Set in Ancient India
Tara Gaming Limited has revealed its upcoming AAA franchise, "Bharatvarsha / The Age of Bharat," targeting a 2026 release for its first fantasy video game. This new series, crafted by bestselling author Amish Tripathi and gaming industry veteran Nouredine Abboud, will dive into the rich tapestry of ancient India. The project promises to blend deep narrative elements with high-budget gaming, extending its reach into films, TV series, and merchandise. Poised to fill a niche in the gaming industry, "Bharatvarsha" aims to bring the splendor of Indic heritage to a global audience through immersive digital entertainment.
Saudi Arabia's PIF to Streamline Gaming Investments Through Savvy Games Group
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is set to streamline its gaming investments by transferring game-related stocks to its subsidiary, Savvy Games Group, potentially by 2025, according to Nikkei. This move is part of a broader strategy to enhance intellectual property leverage across the Middle East. The PIF aims to extend its gaming involvement from mere financial investments to active collaboration, reflecting initiatives like the newly announced Dragon Ball theme park. Further, Savvy is enhancing partnerships with Japanese firms to facilitate better access to the Saudi and MENA gaming markets, focusing on localization and direct collaboration.
Microsoft Challenges Apple's Fee Structure, Claiming High Costs Hamper Cloud Gaming Monetization on iOS
Microsoft has criticized Apple's commission structure, arguing that it stifles the potential to monetize its cloud gaming services effectively on iOS. This complaint emerged in Microsoft's latest response to a CMA investigation, which resumed in January, scrutinizing mobile browsers and cloud gaming markets. Microsoft highlighted that despite recent guideline updates by Apple, the existing 30% commission fee remains prohibitively high and economically unsustainable. The firm emphasized that Apple's policies hinder offering comparable content and features to iOS users versus other platforms. This ongoing investigation also addresses concerns over Apple and Google's dominant positions possibly obstructing competitive practices in mobile ecosystems.
Warner Bros. Eyes 'Hogwarts Legacy' Sequel Amid Varied Gaming Success
Warner Bros. Discovery is setting its sights on a sequel to the 2023 blockbuster game "Hogwarts Legacy," as confirmed by CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels at the Bank of America’s 2024 Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference. Despite mixed results in its gaming division this year, with "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League" falling short of expectations, the success of "Hogwarts Legacy," which sold 22 million copies, has positioned it as a strategic asset for future growth.
Did You Know?
In an innovative twist on gaming technology, the U.S. Air Force created one of the most unconventional supercomputers in history, known as the "Condor Cluster." This impressive supercomputer wasn’t made of typical high-tech components; instead, it was built using 1,760 Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3) consoles. This project, completed in 2010, was developed to analyze high definition satellite imagery, conduct research, and process radar data for urban warfare scenarios.
The decision to use PS3s was based on cost-effectiveness and the console's powerful processing abilities. Each PS3 unit contained the Cell processor, which was capable of handling complex calculations efficiently. By linking together thousands of these gaming consoles, the Air Force created a supercomputer that was both budget-friendly and energy-efficient, costing about a tenth of what a traditional supercomputer would and using approximately 90% less energy.
Quote of the Day
from AFK Gaming https://ift.tt/Plh2M5f
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean.
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