Games industry roundup: Blizzard layoffs, Enjin's Unity SDK lands on Ethereum Testnet, and Fortnite usurps Apex Legends on streaming channels
While 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.
Looking for a mobile roundup? You can check out our Hot Five here. You can also catch up on all the news coming out of Asia in our East Meets West roundup here.
Hottest stories
Over on PCGamesInsider.biz, there's an exclusive detailed report on 209 layoffs at Blizzard, and there are a string of interviews with the likes of Brenda Romero, Curve Digital's Rosemary Buahin and Teazelcat's Jodie Azhar as part of our interview series for International Women's Day.
In the blockchain space, Enjin's new SDK for Unity has landed on Ethereum Testnet and IOST has officially launched its mainnet and released six games to its V1 platform.
On InfluencerUpdate.biz, Fortnite has reclaimed the top spot over Apex Legends for hours viewed on streaming channels, while a new Instagram format will let brands sponsor posts by content creators.
#1: PC game news and insights
Here are the five hottest stories from our sister-site PCGamesInsider.biz for the last week.
EXCLUSIVE: Here are where 209 jobs were cut in Blizzard's US business
We now know just where layoffs have been made in the Overwatch firm's American workforce
Brenda Romero: "Start coding tonight. Start making games. Don’t wait for college"
The industry icon shares her own journey into the games industry and tells us what you need to do to get into game design
The indie label's marketing boss tells us what perceptions we need to change about women in games and what advice she has for those looking to break into the industry
Jodie Azhar, formerly of Creative Assembly and now working at Teazelcat - the indie studio she founded - tells us about her journey into games and what her role involves
Oh, and the UK firm reckons its business could increase by 30 per cent this year!
#2: Blockchain game news and insights
Here are the five hottest stories from our sister-site BlockchainGamer.biz for the last week.
Enjin and its new SDK for Unity have landed on Ethereum Testnet
With an active user-base of 4.5 million developers and effectively responsible for 28 billion installs of various game titles, Unity is a dominant force in the world of game design.
IOST launches its mainnet and introduces six games to its V1 platform
IOST has officially launched its mainnet and has already reached landmark block heights. Specifically, last week saw the official launch of the Olympus V1, with more updates to come throughout March.
War of Crypto teases at mobile platform
War Of Crypto, along with enjoying early successes with its item pre-sale, has made some positive moves in March.
XAYA’s ‘Project X’ has a name – Taurion
From Chimera to XAYA, and what we once knew as ‘Project X‘ just a short time ago, has another name.
Why IOST CEO Jimmy Zhong is looking for quality dapps not quantity
Jimmy Zhong certainly thinks so, but then again, he is the CEO of IOST, the Singapore-based blockchain which launched its mainnet on 25 February and is about to complete its native token swap.
#3: Influencer news and insights
Here are the five hottest stories from our sister-site InfluencerUpdate.biz for the last week.
The battle royale war rolls on as Fortnite manages to reclaim the top spot, knocking Apex Legends down to third. Dota 2 also takes a hit and a Blizzard favourite returns to the chart.
New Instagram format will let brands sponsor influencer posts
Instagram is working on a new format for ads that will allow brands to sponsor an influencer's posts so that they'll appear like standard adverts.
New feature on YouTube can fact-check fake-news conspiracy videos
In an effort to combat fake news, a new feature coming to YouTube will allow users to fact-check videos on questionable topics before viewing them.
Facebook rolls out new digital literacy program in Singapore
Facebook has unveiled 'We Think Digital', an online portal, in an attempt to bring more digital literacy training and social media awareness to the Asia-Pacific region.
Inaugural Influencer Marketing Awards shortlist revealed
A shortlist of potential winners for the first Influencer Marketing Awards has been unveiled. 23 awards will be given out across five different areas to honour some of the best names in the space.