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 SteamSpy's Galyonkin on the importance of public Steam sales data, an opinion piece on how Discord could dethrone Steam as the go-to PC games marketplace, and Failbetter marketing chief Haley Uyrus talks how to brand your game with words alone.
Meanwhile in the influencer space, Caffeine CEO Ben Keighran discusses the platform's USPs, a Twitch streamer is suspended for homophobic and/or racist language, and the BBC hires popular YouTubers.
Over in the blockchain gaming sector, there's a look at how RPG Cryptic Conjure aims to shake up the blockchain games space, Alto.io drops details on its big Cryptogame Challenge, and there's an analysis of how the top blockchain game tokens are performing.
#1: PC game news and insights
Here are the five hottest stories from our sister-site PCGamesInsider.biz for the last week.
The site's founder tells PCGamesInsider.biz why it's important to know how well games are selling on Steam and how his attempts to provide data have been going.
Could Discord dethrone Steam as the go-to PC games market?
PocketGamer.biz and InfluencerUpdate.biz senior editor Craig Chapples looks at the facts.
INSIGHT - How to brand your game with words alone
Failbetter marketing chief Haley Uyrus shares her top tips for branding using words.
How The Binding of Isaac became a card game
Indie developer Edmund McMillen discusses how a roguelike video game was converted into the physical realm.
Microsoft wants to court gamers with its Intellimouse re-release
UK category lead Mark Rowland on why the Big M brought back this hardware in 2018.
#2: Influencer news and insights
Here are the five hottest stories from our sister-site InfluencerUpdate.biz for the last week.
Caffeine CEO Ben Keighran on what sets the platform apart from other streaming services
InfluencerUpdate.biz speaks to Caffeine CEO Ben Keighran six months after the platform's launch on opening an EU office and setting itself apart from other broadcasting services.
Second streamer suspended for use of homophobic and/or racist language
Two prominent Twitch streamers have been banned for using homophobic and racial slurs during broadcasts.
BBC turns to YouTubers to boost teen appeal
A pair of popular YouTubers have been hired by the BBC to front a string of new shows aimed at the young teens audience.
Captiv8's influencer index is now free for everyone
Data and insights outfit Captiv8 has made its influencer database available at no cost.
What can IGTV learn from failed online video platforms?
MobCrush's Phil Ranta shares his thoughts on Instagram's new video service IGTV, alongside some advice on what the platform can do to succeed.
#3: Blockchain game news and insights
Here are the five hottest stories from our sister-site BlockchainGamer.biz for the last week.
How new RPG Cryptic Conjure is looking to shake up blockchain gaming
“We’re impressed with designer, Jason Wishnov’s creative vision for Cryptic Conjure” – Fazri Zubair, CTO of Lucid Sight.
Alto.Io on building the blockchain game ecosystem with its Cryptogame Challenge
In March 2018, Altitude Games announced it would introduce a new company to help developers to build items and games in the realm of blockchain.
Value of blockchain game tokens declined 27% in Q2 2018
While the average performance across the 20 tokens is poor, down 27 per cent on average, four of them have demonstrated growth, albeit from a low base in most cases.
BitGuild’s Jared Psigoda on making a blockchain game platform for everyone
BitGuild is a decentralised gaming platform for blockchain based games, allowing users to play different games.
Zombie Battleground breaks $250,000 Kickstarter target in two weeks
In mid-June, its game Zombie Battleground was added to the crowdfunding site Kickstarter with the goal of raising $250,000 by its deadline in August.