#21 Weekly Gaming News Industry Trends Round Up

Ubisoft launches standalone subscription service Ubisoft+ Classics, Apple reinstated Epic's developer account just two days after banning it. Payday's CEO departs following the game's rocky start. Google aiming to compete directly with Steam and Epic by offering native PC games. Valve introduces Dota Labs, a new tool for experimental features. Fortnite's new season faces a delay. Forza’s rival receives a significant update and is free-to-play this weekend. Monster Hunter Stories Remaster confirmed for Switch, PS4, and PC. Helldivers 2 servers struggles but a specific weapon is overpowered after the latest patch. Plus much much more!

Also in our weekly round-up:

• BAFTA’s 20th Games Awards feature a variety of nominees

• Conversational AI is coming into games for kids

• We have the best games of February 2024

• Nintendo partners up to bring Super Mario Bros. movie sequel

• Nexon’s MapleStory Universe to use Avalanche blockchain

• Shrapnel Token Unlock is revised

• Block Games integrating Ronin into its player network ecosystem

• Esports World Cup secures three-year partnership with Qiddiya

• GameSquare acquires top esports team FaZe Clan

Gaming News 🕹️

• New Valorant Agent Clove: Release date, abilities, & more

• The Finals Season 2 update brings new gadgets, 5v5 mode, new map and more

• Fortnite's new season is delayed due to tech issues

• Forza Horizon 5 rival gets big update, is free to play this weekend

• The Last Of Us Part 2 Remastered is coming to PC, It's Claimed

• Monster Hunter Stories Remaster confirmed for Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PC release on June 14

• Street Fighter 6 Monster Hunter event arrives in April

• Helldivers 2 servers are getting crushed under the onslaught of mechs and this weapon is overpowered after the latest patch

• WoW Classic is still growing, and players can't get enough

• PS Plus may get games from the best-selling console ever

• Ubisoft+ Classics is now available as a standalone subscription on PlayStation consoles

• Valve introduces Dota Labs, a new tool for experimental features in Dota 2

• Overwatch 2 unveils Cowboy Bebop crossover skins in slick new trailer

• Singer Studios unveils VR game The Pirate Queen: A Forgotten Legend with Lucy Liu

• BAFTA’s 20th Games Awards feature a variety of nominees

• Best Games February 2024

• Battlefield 2042 Season 7: Turning point release date - everything we know

• Rock It Games debuts as publisher of retro indie games

• 11 Bit Studios confirms The Alters is coming to Game Pass

• Final Fantasy XIV’s full Xbox launch hits on March 21

Non-Fungible Conference is “so back” in Lisbon: 28-30 May
Celebrate the NFT culture

The Non-Fungible Conference (NFC), leading conference on Web3 and NFT, returns to Lisbon on May 28th, 29th, and 30th, 2024. The 3rd edition of the event in the Portuguese capital will gather key leaders of the Web3 universe to celebrate art, fashion, gaming and much more at the iconic Carlos Lopes Pavilion in Parque Eduardo VII, Lisbon. In 2023, over 4400 participants, 200 speakers, 70 sponsors, and dozens of international artists, brands, and media attended this experimental event.

Trends 📈

• Google goes straight for Steam and Epic wih native PC games

• UG Labs raises $7M to infuse conversational AI into games for kids

• Women in esports Kelly Chiew hopes to see more inclusiveness from the industry

• Nintendo and Illumination will partner on Super Mario Bros. movie sequel

• Exclusivity is the industry's 'Achilles' heel, Helldivers 2 has shown that

Web3 Games 🎯

• Nexon’s MapleStory Universe Web3 MMO will use Avalanche blockchain

• Assassin's Creed maker Ubisoft just joined another crypto gaming network

• Pegaxy releases pre-registration which is taking place March 8 - 22

• Shrapnel Token Unlock is revised

• Ready Player One inspired metaverse shares first look at Battle Royale Game

• Planet Mojo announces Gogo Mojo, a new interoperable

• Block Games is integrating Ronin into their player network ecosystem

• Bitcraft releases gameplay reveal trailer & alpha sign-up form (Alpha starts April 2)

• Aavegotchi Gotchiverse Roadmap is revealed

• Axie Infinity Classic guilds are now live

Industry News 🛡️

• Payday CEO Is gone after the game's bad start and low player numbers

• The Pokémon Company sets up a new subsidiary called Pokémon Works

• Apple reinstates Epic's developer account two days after banning the company

• Activision's union, with 600 members, is now the biggest one in video games

• E-GO APP partners with Calyx for Arabian League fantasy sports app

• How former PlayStation boss views gaming’s tumultuous time Shawn Layden interview

• Activision ex-CEO Bobby Kotick wants to buy TikTok amid potential ban

• UK esports organisation MNM Gaming enters administration

• French Tennis Federation unveils 2024 Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault

• Esports World Cup Foundation partners with Level Infinite for PUBG Mobile and Honor of Kings

• Epic Foundation launches Esports for Good charitable initiative, Ubisoft already on board

Level Up Your Hardware 🎧

• The new GameSir X2s Type-C mobile controller is feature-filled and inspired by the Nintendo 2DS

• Logitech unveils MX Brio AI-enhanced webcams for work and streaming

• Steam Deck modder builds custom 'Nintendo 3DS console' by adding second screen

• PlayStation 5 Slim gets huge price cut, and you get a free game

• Nvidia reportedly retiring the GTX brand for good

Esports Players & Teams News 🏆

• Sentinels bring on curry, pANcada freed with no buyout clause

• Esports World Cup secures three-year partnership with Qiddiya

• Rekkles is finding ways to impress despite T1 Academy’s horrid LCK CL 2024 record

• Faker's League of Legends team the latest victim of DDoS attack

• GameSquare acquires FaZe Clan

• United States Esports Federation announces player recruitment process for upcoming tournaments

• Team Flash and Gen.G Global Academy launch League of Legends camp

• All teams qualified for VCT Masters Madrid

• MPL PH Season 13 Schedule, results, format, where to watch

• Team Spirit enters the Land of Dawn as a new challenger

• Team Falcons keep the wins rolling and claim DreamLeague Season 22 championship title

• The International 2024 Dota 2 Tournament to Take Place in Copenhagen

Tournament, League & Season News 🏅

• BLAST announces dates for 2025 Counter-Strike 2 esports circuit

• VCT EMEA League announces two stage format for 2024

• Mobile Legends: Bang Bang expands global esports ecosystem with Snapdragon Pro Series

Events 🗓️

• The Games Industry Social: San Francisco Edition March 18th

• GDC 2024 March 18th - March 22nd

• PAX East 2024 March 21st - March 24th

Guides, Tips and Tricks 🗝️

• How to get the Harkonnen Hunter operator skin in Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone

• How to get Dark Matter in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

• How to get Blood Burner Key in Modern Warfare 3 Zombies

• The Best Terminator: Dark Fate – Defiance Mods

Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with the latest news and announcements!

This round is over..
We are reloading our ammo with esports, industry, gaming news and trends intel for the next newsletter..

See you same time next week!

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