In The News
Federal Communications Commission chairman Ajit Pai cancelled his International Consumer Electronics Show attendance due to death threats, PC Gamer’s Tuan Nguyen reports. “Specifics of the threats haven’t been revealed, but federal law enforcement agencies have ‘intervened’ in the matter, and other FCC offices are expected to be briefed on it.”
Civilization VI just released its debut video for the Cree, and the Cree Nation isn’t happy, CBS News’s David Shield reports. “While Poundmaker Cree Nation Headman Milton Tootoosis was initially excited about Chief Poundmaker’s inclusion, he quickly soured on the idea,” Shields writes. “‘It perpetuates this myth that First Nations had similar values that the colonial culture has.’”
Chushou, a Chinese “live-stream mobile game platform,” received an investment from Google, Reuters reports. “Google will help the Chinese firm expand its services to target more overseas viewers, it said.”
The Nintendo Switch now holds the top spot for fastest selling console in the United States. “The Switch has broken the US record for the fastest selling console ever, with 4.8 million units sold in just 10 months,” Engadget’s Steve Dent reports.
Yogcast raised “$5,245,772 for charity” with its Jingle Jam event, GamesIndustry.biz’s James Batchelor writes. “Viewers were able to choose from a selection of charities when purchasing the Humble Bundle.”
Me-ow. Mad Catz shook off one of its 9 lives after bankruptcy and is coming back, GameSpot’s Chris Pereira reports. “2018 will be a rebirth for the accessory maker, as it has announced it’s making a return to the business and provided an outline of some of its upcoming hardware.”
God of War’s Norse days could be over. “Director Cory Barlog explained: ‘The Greek games were the Greek era of God of War. Moving on, the next mythological belief system he interacts with became the Norse era of God of War. But we may end up going on to the Egyptian era and the Mayan era and so on and so forth,’” GameSpot’s Joe Skrebels writes.
Sixty-eight thousand, five hundred and twenty-six projects were completed on Itch.io in 2017. “As many as 100,864 new project pages” were created, Gamasutra’s Alissa McAloon writes.
The App Store pulled in almost $900 million during Christmas, GamesIndustry.biz’s Christopher Dring reports. “The period is traditionally one of Apple’s biggest weeks, with consumers receiving smartphones and tablets for Christmas. The $890 million is a new record for the company.”
Rivals of Ixalan, Magic: The Gathering’s newest set, released new cards to check out, according to Polygon’s Charlie Hall reports.
Hearthstone players, Blizzard just gave you 3 free Kobolds and Catacombs packs.
Evo Japan registration re-opens today.
Call of Duty news:
Kenneth Dedo and Patryk “Rallied” Salata joined Reign for the CWL New Orleans Open, Dot Esports’ Justin Binkowski reports.