In The News
Don’t get too ahead of yourself, Microsoft’s Age of Empires studio “isn’t directly making games, but instead is more of a production outfit overseeing other studios’ work on the IP,” PC Games Insider’s Alex Calvin writes. “Microsoft creative director Adam Isgreen … [said] the company’s responsibility is to make sure that Age of Empire games from other studios are going in the right direction.”
Nintendo of Europe announced that starting in September it’s removing credit cards as a payment method “on systems in the Nintendo 3DS family or Wii U consoles” for EU and UK players.
Playtika acquired Seriously, the publisher behind mobile game Best Friends. “The company received funding from Upfront Ventures, Northzone, Korea Investment Partners, HeartCore Capital, and Daher Capital,” VentureBeat’s Dean Takahashi reports.
Sonya, Kano and one more Mortal Kombat character have been cast for the upcoming movie, The Hollywood Reporter’s Mia Galuppo writes.
Accessibility Unlocked is a new initiative in “Australia and New Zealand … to better support developers with disabilities in the local games industry,” GI.biz’s James Batchelor reports.
Interviews: Bungie’s David “Deej” Dague (Eurogamer).
Extra Esports News:
Esports MX LATAM Fund invested in the Pittsburgh Knights for an undisclosed amount, ESI’s Adam Fitch writes. “Alongside the investment, a deal has been made that will see Esports MX LATAM launch an affiliated esports team in Mexico modeled on Pittsburgh Knights’ organisational framework.”
ELEAGUE and Wizards of the Coast are partnering, Dot Esports’ Danny Foster reports. “Beginning Sept. 4 at 7pm CT on Twitch, Wizards of the Coast (WotC) and ELEAGUE are launching a new Showdown series via MTG Arena. The series will run through Dec. 18, featuring competitive play from popular MTG community influencers and emerging star players.”