NetMarvel gains insights into the global market and provides valuable industry information for game and app advertisers. Here’s the news for the third week of September:
1.Tencent’s Mobile Game Marketing Success with "Age of Empires" Official Debut
Developed by Tencent's TiMi Studios and published by its overseas brand Level Infinite, the SLG mobile game Age of Empires Mobile officially launched on October 17th, swiftly reaching the top of the U.S. iOS download charts on its first day. This mobile adaptation of the classic Age of Empires, co-developed by Microsoft and Tencent, allows players to engage in strategic empire management, expand territories, and immerse themselves in famous historical events. This launch highlights Tencent’s mobile game marketing prowess, as it brings a beloved PC game franchise into the mobile gaming world, driving instant global engagement.
2. Voodoo's New Hybrid "Cup Heroes" Surpasses 14 Million Downloads
Voodoo's new hit, "Cup Heroes", has seen over 14 million downloads and earned more than $5.5 million in in-app purchases. The game's success is driven by its unique split-screen gameplay that merges RPG battles with a ball-multiplying mechanic. Players are drawn to the simple, yet fun, experience of managing their own empire and engaging with historical events. The game has been particularly successful in the US, Japan, and Germany, where its pixelated, vibrant art style has resonated with audiences.
3. Google Merges Gemini into DeepMind AI Division
Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO, has confirmed the shift of the Gemini AI team to DeepMind, streamlining the company's AI initiatives. Pichai detailed the reorganization in a blog post, highlighting the goal to “quicken the pace of advancement in AI.” Additionally, he noted that Prabhakar Raghavan, who has led Google’s search and ads division for four years, will transition to the role of Google’s Chief Technology Officer, with Nick Fox taking over Raghavan’s previous responsibilities.
4. NetEase Combining with "X Marvel" Unveil Trailer for "Marvel: Mystery Mayhem
NetEase has teamed up with Marvel for a new mobile game titled "Marvel Mystic Mayhem", with a trailer now released to the public. This free-to-play mobile game is set in the Marvel Universe and is designed as a team tactical RPG. The game is expected to launch on iOS and Android platforms, though the exact release date has yet to be determined.
5."PvZ3: Welcome to Zomburbia "Announces Temporary Removal for "Rebuild from Scratch"
On October 17th, EA announced that “Plants vs Zombies 3: Welcome to Zomburbia“ is going offline temporarily for a "major overhaul." EA stated in a blog post that in-app purchases for "PvZ3: Welcome to Zomburbia" have been disabled, and the game has been removed from download platforms. November 15, 2024, marks the last day before the game goes offline, after which the servers will be shut down, making it inaccessible across all regions.
6. Microsoft Halts Personal Azure OpenAI Offerings in China
Microsoft has announced the closure of its Azure OpenAI services for individual users in China from October 21st, following local regulatory requirements, leaving only enterprise customers with access to the service. The majority of developers were informed on the morning of October 17th, and there is discontent over the short notice period of four days to adjust to this change. So far, Microsoft has not provided any further response to the situation.
7. Meta Collaborates with Hollywood's Blumhouse to Develop an AI-Generated Film Model
On October 18th, tech giant Meta announced a collaboration with Hollywood's Blumhouse Productions, known for hits like "The Purge" and "Get Out," to develop an AI video model called Movie Gen. Blumhouse has tapped producers like Aneesh Chaganty and Casey Affleck to test Movie Gen, using generated clips in their films. Previously, Meta unveiled Movie Gen, claiming it can create realistic video and audio based on prompts, rivaling OpenAI and ElevenLabs' VinVL video models.
8. Netflix Shuts Down AAA Studio, "Team Blue"
On October 23rd, Game File reported that Netflix has closed its "Team Blue" studio in Southern California, which was working on an ambitious AAA game project. The studio was home to many industry experts who had contributed to games like Halo and Overwatch. This move marks an end to Netflix's plans to expand into the AAA gaming space.
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