Games industry roundup: The hottest stories across the PC, blockchain and influencer sectors
While here on PocketGamer.biz focuses on the world of mobile gaming, it's always a good idea to keep an eye on the trends, controversies and opportunities of other sectors.
To that end, each week we round up the hottest stories as selected by our expert editorial team across our network of sites that includes PCGamesInsider.biz, InfluencerUpdate.biz and BlockchainGamer.biz.
The hottest stories
This week's hot PC stories include six lessons learning during key UK games conference Develop:Brighton 2018, Microsoft on making games more accessible, and Artcraft reckons it can cut two to three years off MMO development.
Meanwhile in the influencer space, there's a history of The Yogscast, YouTube is spending $25m on supporting quality journalism, and Affable's CEO discussings using AI to fight fraud.
Over in the blockchain gaming sector, Etherbots developer Fuel Bros reveals its new esports game Gods Unchained, the big blockchain-based game announcement and ICOs are rounded up, and there's a look at how new RPG Cryptic Conjure plans to shake up blockchain gaming.
#1: PC game news and insights
Here are the five hottest stories from our sister-site PCGamesInsider.biz for the last week.
Six things we learnt at Develop:Brighton 2018
After a week of rubbing shoulders with the games industry's best and brightest, we share the lessons and trends that we picked up at this year's Develop:Brighton.
Microsoft: Making games more accessible is both the right thing to do and good for business
Making games more accessible is the right thing to do - and it'll make publishers and developers a lot of money, also, says Mixer and Microsoft's Tara Voekler.
Artcraft reckons it can cut two to three years off MMO development
Online project specialist ArtCraft reckons it can but two-to-three years and $10m off of games development with its Artisan tool - and not just for MMOs.
INSIGHT - Why game jams are so important
The GM of GameMaker firm YoYo Games James Coox on why game jams are so important and how they can be successful.
Overwatch Pink Mercy skin and T-shirt raised $12.7m for Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Blizzard announces that its fans raised $12.7m.
#2: Influencer news and insights
Here are the five hottest stories from our sister-site InfluencerUpdate.biz for the last week.
A brief history lesson on the rise of The Yogscast
Media production company The Yogscast turned 10 this week. Seven billion views and countless collaborators later, we took a look back through some of The Yogscast’s crowning moments.
YouTube is spending $25m on supporting quality journalism
In a bid to support and sustain quality news reporting, YouTube is investing $25m on funding respected news outlets using the platform.
Affable CEO on utilising AI to fight fraud in the influencer marketing space
Affable CEO on utilising AI not only to separate the frauds from the famous - but to also streamline the entire influencer selection process.
The Creative Fund is a new initiative that will financially support every single Kickstarter project
A new project with the intent of backing every single Kickstarter campaign by at least $1 has gone live.
Technology firm Qoruz releases a new intelligence product for influencers
Tech firm Quroz has announced a new intelligence platform that shows accurate and real time information about the effectiveness of influencers.
#3: Blockchain game news and insights
Here are the five hottest stories from our sister-site BlockchainGamer.biz for the last week.
Etherbots developer Fuel Bros announces esports game Gods Unchained
From their previous game, EtherBots, Fuel Bros intend to increase the level of exposure that blockchain games get from the mainstream audience, explicitly targetting esports.
New blockchain games and ICO roundup
We explore some of the goings-on of the week, including those big moments for the industry!
How new RPG Cryptic Conjure is looking to shake up blockchain gaming
Cryptic Conjure is a multiplayer fantasy action-RPG, utilizing the Ethereum blockchain and Unreal Engine 4 to enable some very interesting mechanics.
How blockchain enabled the implementation of Cryptic Conjure’s core spell degradation mechanic
It’s often said blockchain is a solution looking for a problem. But for game designer Jason Wishnov, blockchain proved to be the solution to a fundamental problem.
Playkey offers players the ability to enter the world of high-spec PC gaming without the overly-expensive hardware.