In The News
Google unveiled Stadia, which lets “players stream videogames from the cloud without needing pricey hardware,” The Wall Street Journal’s Sarah E. Needleman writes. “The Alphabet Inc. unit said Stadia will let players stream to their smartphones, tablets or computers using a Chrome browser, or to a TV using a Chromecast Ultra device. It isn’t clear whether the service will be compatible with Apple Inc. devices.”
Eurogamer’s Chris Tapsell has more on the announcement, including a roundup of everything we know so far about Stadia, the Google Stadia controller and more.
Unreal Engine support for Stadia is live as well, PC Gamer’s Andy Chalk reports.
Here are a few responses to the announcement from Xbox’s Phil Spencer, Devolver Digital’s Graeme Struthers and more.
Lucasfilm Games has risen from the dead. “Disney has posted job descriptions for numerous roles, all specifically for work at ‘Lucasfilm Games,’” PCGamesN’s Chris J Capel writes. “According to the postings, Lucasfilm Games will be working on ‘interactive products’ based on Star Wars or other Lucasfilm IP, for ‘all digital platforms.’”
Nintendo Switch outsold both PS4 and Xbox One in February, Nintendo Enthusiast’s A.K Rahming reports from The NPD Group. “Exact numbers have not been provided, though Piscatella also confirmed that the Switch also generated the highest number of dollar sales.”
Anthem:
Anthem was the top-selling game in February, according to The NPD Group. It posted “the second-strongest sales month for any BioWare-developed game, trailing only Mass Effect 3 in its release month of March 2012,” Game Informer’s Brian Shea reports.
BioWare released a letter to fans discussing ongoing issues with the game and future plans. “As we move through this most difficult period of launching a new game and IP, we are also working on the things that will really show what Anthem is capable of – a series of world events, new story content, and new features, that all build towards the Cataclysm later this spring.”
Dorian has raised “$2 million in funding for interactive storytelling for a new generation of readers,” VentureBeat’s Dean Takahashi reports.
Games for Change is launching “an accelerator that will provide funding, support and guidance for developers making games and mixed reality products for social impact,” GI.biz’s Matthew Handrahan writes.
Heroes of the Storm is removing loot boxes, according to a blog post.
Reddit AMA: 343 Industries’ Brian “ske7ch” Jarrard.
Extra Esports News:
Eleven Holdings Corp. has acquired Soar Gaming, Esports Insider’s Adam Fitch reports. “Founded by Zach Hyman, a NHL player for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Eleven Gaming fields competitors in Fortnite.”
EFootball.Pro “has reached a broadcast agreement that will see it broadcast on French television channel ES1,” Fitch reports.
Fernando Alonso has joined Motorsport Games as “an investor and board member,” TEO’s H.B. Duran reports. “Motorsport Games runs the eNASCAR Heat Pro League and the Le Mans Esport Series, among others.”
H4X clothing can now be found in 49 Macy’s stores and “through the department chain’s online shop,” Fitch writes.
IN: eUnited has moved Chris “Simp” Lehr to a starting role on their CoD team and Jordan “JKap” Kaplan to substitute.
Happy birthdays Maru “MaSa” Kim, Mike “Glaurung” Fisk and Yoan “ToD” Merlo!