#1up-usa
#1up-usa

The Digital Nomad's Guide to Online Entertainment: What Works in the UK

Understanding the digital landscape in the UK is crucial for travelers, as many apps and services differ from other regions.

London startup

fromBusiness Matters

Government doubles down on gaming with 30m funding package as sector eyes global growth

The UK government has launched a £30 million funding initiative to support the video games sector, including a £28.5 million UK Games Fund.

Venture

from24/7 Wall St.

Cantor Initiates Skillz With Overweight: Can the Mobile Gaming Platform Finally Stage a Comeback?

Skillz shows signs of stabilization with Q4 2025 revenue growth, despite a challenging year for investors.

Netflix's TV games get a big boost with Jackbox collection

Netflix adds Jackbox's Drawful 2, Fibbage 4, and Quiplash 3 to its party game lineup, available for subscribers at no extra cost.

Netflix adds three Jackbox games to its TV app

Netflix adds Jackbox Party Essentials to its gaming lineup, offering three popular games for free to subscribers.

Board games

Netflix's TV games get a big boost with Jackbox collection

Netflix adds Jackbox's Drawful 2, Fibbage 4, and Quiplash 3 to its party game lineup, available for subscribers at no extra cost.

Netflix adds three Jackbox games to its TV app

Netflix adds Jackbox Party Essentials to its gaming lineup, offering three popular games for free to subscribers.

The Biggest New Game Releases Of April 2026

April 2026 features highly anticipated game releases including Starfield, Darwin's Paradox, and Pokemon Champions.

59 minutes ago

League of Legends' new WASD control scheme will be enabled for ranked later this month

"There's still a small delta in the win-rates between the control schemes, with Point and Click having a minor advantage. We expect that difference will decrease over time as players gain more mastery with WASD, but we will continue to monitor this stat in the future."

Games

Cryptocurrency

fromnews.bitcoin.com

Japan Has 12 Million Crypto Users and a Blueprint for Web3 Gaming

Japan's FSA plans a 2026 framework taxing crypto gains at a flat 20%, providing regulatory clarity for Web3 gaming projects.

23 hours ago

91-Year-Old Who Received Wellness Check From Police Was Busy Gaming

A wellness check on a 91-year-old woman revealed she was engrossed in gaming, missing calls and police visits.

1 hour ago

YouTuber Challenges Valve To Beat His $950 DIY Steam Machine

Zac Builds created a DIY Steam Machine for $950, outperforming Valve's yet-to-be-released device.

Overwatch's Next Season Looks Dope Except For One Thing

Season 2 introduces a new hero, updated maps, and a Mythic Skin for Soldier: 76, but the skin's design disappoints fans.

Overwatch's Next Hero Comes With A Badass Grappling Hook (And Juicy Lore Opportunities)

Overwatch introduces a new hero, Sierra, with unique abilities and a connection to the game's lore.

3 years ago

Video games

Overwatch 2 Is Just "Overwatch" Again And Five New Heroes Arrive Next Week

Overwatch's Next Season Looks Dope Except For One Thing

Season 2 introduces a new hero, updated maps, and a Mythic Skin for Soldier: 76, but the skin's design disappoints fans.

Overwatch's Next Hero Comes With A Badass Grappling Hook (And Juicy Lore Opportunities)

Overwatch introduces a new hero, Sierra, with unique abilities and a connection to the game's lore.

3 years ago

Video games

Overwatch 2 Is Just "Overwatch" Again And Five New Heroes Arrive Next Week

The Video Games You Should Play This Weekend - April 10

Charles mistakenly wrote about a movie instead of video games last week.

fromTheregister

FAA seeking gamers to fill air traffic control ranks

The FAA is targeting video gamers to address the air traffic controller shortage.

Amazon Luna axes third-party game purchases

Amazon Luna will restrict access to only its subscription games, removing third-party purchases and subscriptions by June 2026.

Amazon Luna ends support for third-party subscriptions and game purchases

Amazon is discontinuing third-party integrations on Luna, affecting subscriptions and game access.

Amazon Luna axes third-party game purchases

Amazon Luna will restrict access to only its subscription games, removing third-party purchases and subscriptions by June 2026.

fromEast Bay Express | Oakland, Berkeley & Alameda

Amazon Luna ends support for third-party subscriptions and game purchases

Amazon is discontinuing third-party integrations on Luna, affecting subscriptions and game access.

more#amazon-luna

Digital life

How Technology Is Changing Online Gaming Culture

Online gaming culture has evolved significantly due to advanced technology while retaining classic values like challenge, fairness, and storytelling.

Roblox has games again

Roblox is returning to using the term 'games' instead of 'experiences' to better resonate with users and reflect its platform.

fromGSMArena.com

Fortnite returns to Google Play worldwide

Fortnite was removed from Google Play and the App Store back in August 2020, shortly after Epic tried to implement its own external payment system for in-game purchases. Epic Games then began its legal offensive against Google and Apple, which it ultimately won, resulting in large-scale changes across the App Store and Google Play.

Mobile UX

2 days ago

Project Helix Swag Has Already Begun Circulating With Influencers

Xbox is struggling with sales and leadership changes, launching Project Helix merchandise despite the console's release being years away.

Game Devs Explain The Tricks Involved With Letting You Pause

Pausing a game involves various techniques, including manipulating time and adjusting game speed, depending on the game engine used.

2 days ago

YouTuber Puts $10 Grand Bounty On Marvel Vs. Capcom Rollback

Maximilian Christiansen offers a $10,000 bounty for adding rollback netcode to Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 to enhance online play.

fromWGB

3 days ago

Microsoft Might Be Considering Removing Call Of Duty From Game Pass

Microsoft may remove Call of Duty from Game Pass due to its impact on revenue and traditional sales.

3 days ago

Marauding minotaurs, more CloverPit and other new indie games worth checking out

Indie game space features new releases and upcoming titles, including updates on various games and showcases.

Pokemon Champions, Starfield DLC And Other Games Coming Out

Starfield launches on PS5 with a new expansion, Terran Armada, and a free update, following mixed reviews of its first DLC.

3 days ago

Epic is reportedly building an extraction shooter for Disney

Disney's $1.5 billion investment in Epic aims to create an entertainment universe, with a Disney-themed extraction shooter set for release in November.

Epic Is Reportedly Making A Disney-Themed Extraction Shooter

Epic is developing an extraction shooter featuring Disney characters, expected to launch in November.

Heated Arc Raiders Debate Between PvE And PvP Players Goes Viral

A PvE player confronted a PvP player in Arc Raiders, raising questions about player expectations in PvP-enabled games.

fromThe Atlantic

1 week ago

Today's Atlantic Trivia: Video Games

Nintendo was founded in 1889, the same year the Eiffel Tower opened in Paris, starting as a manufacturer of Japanese playing cards.

Games

fromDiscover the Best Podcasts | Discover Pods

Trump's FAA Now Targeting Gamers To Become Air Traffic Controllers

The FAA is targeting gamers to address the shortage of air traffic controllers in the U.S.

Podcast

Your Listening Guide to the Best Gaming Podcasts in 2026

Gaming culture has achieved mainstream legitimacy, with storytelling and community experiences defining quality games more than technical specifications or graphics.

2 weeks ago

The Avatar fighting game will release on July 2 for PC and consoles

Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game launches on July 2 for $29.99, featuring 12 characters and crossplay across multiple platforms.

How the Gaming Market Continues to Expand

The gaming market is evolving into a mainstream, influential entertainment industry, driven by mobile gaming and diverse player demographics.

Video games

Games Are Losing The Attention War With Gambling And OnlyFans

fromBusiness Matters

How the Gaming Market Continues to Expand

The gaming market is evolving into a mainstream, influential entertainment industry, driven by mobile gaming and diverse player demographics.

Video games

Games Are Losing The Attention War With Gambling And OnlyFans

'Project Hail Mary's' Newest Chapter Is Coming From An Unexpected Source

VR gaming offers immersive experiences that transform the player's environment, exemplified by upcoming titles like Project Hail Mary.

#live-service-games

Video games

Sci-Fi Extraction Shooter Lasted Three Weeks Before Announcing Shutdown

Video games

Marathon is in a sprint

Video games

The Video Games You Should Play This Weekend - January 16

Sci-Fi Extraction Shooter Lasted Three Weeks Before Announcing Shutdown

Live-service games often fail, leading to financial losses and shutdowns shortly after launch, as seen with The Cube, Save Us.

Video games

Marathon is in a sprint

Video games

The Video Games You Should Play This Weekend - January 16

more#live-service-games

1 week ago

Marathon's Top Players Are Begging Bungie To Do More About Cheaters - Kotaku

Marathon players report a significant cheating problem affecting gameplay, particularly in ranked matches and the Cryo Archive map.

Marketing

fromThe Drum

How brands can align their interests with the interests of gamers

Brands can increase engagement and reach diverse audiences by integrating ads into interactive gaming experiences and aligning brand goals with player interests.

The 13 Best New Video Games Of 2026 So Far

2026 has already produced notable games, with updates planned for the Game of the Year watch throughout the year.

fromArs Technica

Valve brings native Steam Link app to Apple's Vision Pro

Steam Link is coming to Apple's Vision Pro, enabling wireless streaming of traditional games from Steam libraries on nearby Macs or PCs.

Media industry

fromThe Drum

Livestreaming and eSports to drive the sports market in Asia

Asia is the fastest-growing sports market, driven by mobile, OTT, eSports, and live streaming, prompting platforms and brands to prioritize creative digital sports experiences.

Soccer (FIFA)

One Of The Most Popular Games In The World Will Be Free On Xbox This Weekend

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential subscribers can play EA Sports FC 26 for free during Free Play Days from January 15–18, 2026.

from48 hills

Is AI gaming ready for primetime? - 48 hills

Google demonstrated live AI-generated NPC dialogue at GDC 2026, with over 60 AI-related talks and events showcasing the gaming industry's focus on artificial intelligence integration.

fromGamesBeat

1 week ago

Inside Clix Gaming's creator-powered business strategy

Cody 'Clix' Conrod is launching Clix Gaming, a brand and business centered on his success as a top Fortnite player.

Marketing

fromThe Drum

Why gaming is a such a key communications channel for retail marketers

Gaming is a mainstream, high-value channel retailers must engage, especially Gen Z gamers, via community-driven experiences on platforms like Twitch and Discord.

2 weeks ago

150 million users later, Roblox competitor Rec Room is shutting down

"We never quite figured out how to make Rec Room a sustainably profitable business, and our costs always ended up overwhelming the revenue we brought in."

Video games

Marketing

fromGamesBeat

Creators and developer studios are approaching the business of UGC in very different ways

Developer studios operate across multiple platforms while individual creators typically focus on a single platform, producing divergent strategies for brand integrations in virtual worlds.

EA is nuking Battlefield Hardline on consoles

EA will delist the PS4 and Xbox One versions of Battlefield Hardline from digital storefronts on May 22, and shut down the online services on June 22.

Video games

fromwww.theguardian.com

In the killer world of online gaming, there are no hits any more just survivors

Highguard's rapid failure demonstrates that modern online games face extreme pressure to deliver immediate returns, leaving no room for player learning curves or developer iteration.

Ubisoft ends development at Tom Clancy studio Red Storm

Ubisoft is ceasing game development at its studio, Red Storm Entertainment, best known for its work on the Tom Clancy's series. While the studio is set to remain open, 105 people will be laid off, a Ubisoft source told. Those who survive the cull will reportedly continue to work on the Snowdrop engine, used in many of Ubisoft's tentpole games over the last decade.

Video games

4 weeks ago

Jeff Kaplan: Stop Complaining About Games You Won't Play

Jeff Kaplan advises people complaining about games they haven't played to stop, as developers ignore such feedback and it accomplishes nothing.

I Miss When Multiplayer Games Weren't Changing All The Time - Kotaku

A patch increasing gunshot volume in Marathon created a more aggressive multiplayer environment, prompting nostalgia for older games that remained static after release rather than undergoing constant balance changes.

fromWGB

A New Quake Trademark Has Been Filed, Should We Be Excited?

ZeniMax filed a new Quake trademark in March 2024, likely routine maintenance at the 9-year renewal mark, but combined with Machine Games' teases and the franchise's 30th anniversary, suggests a potential Quake comeback.

An Incredible Last-Minute Escape In Marathon Convinced Me It's Something Special

A final beta match demonstrated the game's potential through intense, high-stakes gameplay where teamwork and resource management created memorable moments despite uncertain long-term player retention.

fromwww.gamespot.com

20 Best Free PC Games You Can Play NOW

Lists 20 free PC games, covers ACNH 3.0 updates, Jolly Redd art authenticity, and upcoming 2026 game release dates for consoles.

#highguard

Video games

Highguard Breaks Radio Silence And The Internet Reacts

Video games

The promise and peril of a new online shooter

Video games

Highguard Breaks Radio Silence And The Internet Reacts

Video games

The promise and peril of a new online shooter

Overwatch Fans Put Jetpack Cat In Timeout

Jetpack Cat (Fika) is a disruptive, tethering support who creates viral plays but faces frequent competitive bans despite viable counters.

DrDisrespect Lies About Being Invited To Highguard Preview Event - Kotaku

Dr Disrespect posted a Highguard media badge claiming attendance, but attendees and the game's manager say he wasn't invited and the photo may be faked.

WoW Players Love Sports, So Blizzard Is Putting A Real Tavern At NFL Game This Weekend

Blizzard is promoting World of Warcraft's Midnight expansion with a Welcome Home Pre-Game Tavern at the Patriots-Texans game to reach sports-viewing players.

The Video Game industry Is Headed For A Generational Reckoning

30 years ago chronicled a generational conflict between an old-timey pull-string doll and a fancy new one with buttons. The two toys learned to get along. This week a trailer for showing both toys enacting a against tablets. While I agree on the potential detriments of excessive screen-time, it is telling how the creators and intended audience now identify less with the kid playing with toys and more with the adult who just spent all of dinner hearing about ' butlerian jihad looksmaxxing.'

Video games

Arkheron Preview - A Promising Battle Royale (No, Seriously) - Game Informer

Arkheron is an isometric PvP battle royale where 15 three-player teams compete in a fantasy tower, blending shooter action with Hades-style loot and rotating Eternals.