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 marketplace GOG's store curation and how it differs from Steam, Avalanche CEO Pim Holfve on a blockbuster 12 months for the studio, and Joe Mirabello talks Mothergunship.
Meanwhile in the influencer space, YouTube Music and YouTube Premium land in the UK, Unilever bemoans fraudsters who buy fake followers and urges action, and Vidcon's safety concerns over creators hosting fan meetups.
Over in the blockchain gaming sector, WAX's Malcolm CasSelle discusses making a game item marketplace on the blockchain, Crypto Games Conference Kiev 2018 attendees talk the latest trends, and Niantic's John Hanke joins games community outfit RAWG as an advisor.
#1: PC game news and insights
Here are the five hottest stories from our sister-site PCGamesInsider.biz for the last week.
"We see ourselves as the one and only true alternative to Steam"
Head of global comms Lukasz Kukawski talks about GOG's curation process and where it sees itself in the games market.
CEO Pim Holfve takes us through a blockbuster 12 months for the Swedish studio.
"We wanted to make a more polished version of Tower of Guns"
Joe Mirabello shares how working on Mothergunship has differed to his solo project.
Report shows Fortnite was the most written-about game at E3 2018
Ico Partners' Thomas Bidaux shares his learnings from coverage of this year's E3.
EU copyright law changes could have dramatic impact on fan-created content
Companies and creators now in the firing line if copyright is breached if changes to EU law go through.
#2: Influencer news and insights
Here are the five hottest stories from our sister-site InfluencerUpdate.biz for the last week.
YouTube Music and YouTube Premium finally arrive in the UK
Subscription services YouTube Music and YouTube Premium have finally landed in the UK.
Unilever slaps ban on influencers who buy followers
Consumer goods giant Unilever has said that urgent action is needed. An irrevocable breakdown in influencer trust is inevitable unless immediate action is taken.
Vidcon warns creators against hosting fan meetups
The organisers of video event Vidcon have told creators that they should not organise meetup events with fans due to safety reasons.
Instagram launches new video app IGTV
Instagram takes a huge stride in to the video space with a new feature called IGTV.
Facebook introduces new creator management tools to help influencers and brands connect
Facebook has added some updates in to its creator and business resources to help influencers grow and thrive on the platform, including a new channel subscription option.
#3: Blockchain game news and insights
Here are the five hottest stories from our sister-site BlockchainGamer.biz for the last week.
WAX’s Malcolm CasSelle on building the ultimate game item marketplace on the blockchain
“I want WAX to create tens of thousands of mini-OPSkins,” explains president Malcolm CasSelle. “This is a marketplace-as-a-service, enabling everyone to have their own Amazon.”
Report: Trends from the Crypto Games Conference Kiev 2018
A major topic among the game developers attending the show centred around the choice of the right blockchain.
Blockchain game community site RAWG adds Pokemon Go creator John Hanke as advisor
Lithuanian games community outfit RAWG has announced a number of new advisors, including John Hanke, the CEO of Pokemon Go developer Niantic.
Which blockchain game companies were spending big at E3 2018?
They don’t have the massive booths yet but are clearly making reasonably large investments in their marketing.
What’s on at next month’s Big Indie Fest @ ReVersed
Vienna’s four-day celebration of gaming that is the Big Indie Fest @ ReVersed is now just a couple of weeks away.