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| Happy Friday, Insiders! Today we share some big news, including the rivalry between Twitch and Kick platforms, the WhatsApp beta version adding support for VR technology, and more. But that's not all! Scroll down to check out our "Upcoming Events" sections. And do let us know what topics you'd like us to cover in future editions. Vildana
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| 1 | | The departure of top Twitch users to join Australian rival Kick has caused a significant shake-up in the game live-streaming world, potentially signaling a shift in the streaming landscape. Kick, launched as a competitor to Twitch, offers a different approach with less strict moderation and backing from a crypto casino website. More: - Twitch, the leading live game streaming platform, was founded in the U.S. 12 years ago and acquired by Amazon for $970M.
- Australian rival Kick, launched in December, aims to disrupt the gaming industry and has lower revenue charges for streamers.
- Kick's Head of Strategic Partnerships previously worked at Amazon Games, giving the platform insight into the streaming market.
- Streamer xQc was offered a contract worth up to $100M, while details of Amouranth's buyout remain undisclosed.
- This significant live-streaming deal rivals multimillion-dollar contracts in other entertainment sectors, such as podcasting and sports.
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What the numbers say: Twitch, the Amazon-owned live-streaming video platform established in 2011, has gained popularity as a preferred medium for viewers to watch their favorite gamers engage in various online video games. As of June 2023, the most widely followed game on Twitch is Fortnite, boasting 82 million followers across the platform, followed by GTAV and GTA Online, both published by RockstarGames. Currently, Twitch has 140 million monthly active users (MAUs). Relevance: Twitch top streamer Félix Lengyel, or xQc, has signed a two-year, $100M deal with Kick, a rival platform, the New York Times reported. This means xQc could earn more in two years of playing video games than LeBron James' $97.13M two-year contract extension with the Lakers he signed in 2022. With both xQc and Amouranth deals, the new startup Kick now has Twitch's most-watched male and female streamers. Impact: According to StreamElements and Rainmaker's monthly State of the Stream reports, Twitch's viewership surged to 1.76 billion hours in May, marking a 5% increase compared to April. Kick is averaging 110,000 live streams daily, compared to Twitch's seven million monthly streamers and 31 million daily viewers. | | | |
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| 3 | | The beta version of WhatsApp on the Google Play platform has introduced support for VR technology, specifically the Meta Quest glasses. Users will soon be able to link their WhatsApp accounts to the Quest glasses, although the specific mechanism and level of encryption for this compatibility have not been disclosed yet. More: - The beta version 2.23.13.6 of WhatsApp includes an option to link existing accounts in the application to the Meta Quest virtual reality headset.
- The functionality will be available for WhatsApp users on the Android platform.
- Details about the encryption and protection when pairing WhatsApp accounts with VR glasses are yet to be revealed.
- The feature is expected to be officially launched, at which point more information will be provided.
Zoom Out: - Earlier this month, just days before the launch of Apple's Vision Pro headset, Meta announced Quest 3, the company's most affordable XR headset, for $499.
- In March 2023, Meta also dropped NFT support for Instagram and Facebook.
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| 4 | | Twitch star xQc's $100M deal with rival streaming platform Kick highlights the strained relationship between top streamers and Twitch. The contract, matching traditional athletes' agreements, is one of the largest in the entertainment industry. More: - Félix Lengyel, known as xQc, has nearly 12 million followers and is among the most popular Twitch streamers.
- The two-year deal with Kick, worth approximately $100M, provides new opportunities for Lengyel to explore creative ideas.
- Top livestream personalities have left Twitch for platforms like YouTube due to more appealing deals.
- Twitch's recent policy changes, including revenue cuts and advertisement restrictions, have raised concerns among streamers.
- Kick, a streamer-friendly platform, takes only 5% of streamers' earnings compared to Twitch's 50% cut.
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| 5 | | The integration of Red 6's Advanced Tactical AR System (ATARS) into the T-50 platform and related training systems revolutionizes military training by providing an immersive and cost-effective solution. Pilots can engage in realistic training environments, simulating dynamic scenarios and improving their skills. More: - Red 6's ATARS system combines virtual assets with real-world conditions, allowing pilots to train against opponents in secure and scalable environments.
- The AR approach reduces costs and environmental impact compared to traditional training methods while producing better pilots.
- The vision extends beyond the air domain, aiming for a joint AR military metaverse that synchronizes multiple domains for personnel to train within.
- This technology has the potential to be utilized in various Lockheed Martin platforms in the future, enhancing training capabilities across different military domains.
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| 6 | | The Monkeys' work for the Government of Tuvalu won the Grand Prix at Cannes Lions for their campaign highlighting the climate crisis and the threat of rising sea levels to Tuvalu. Tuvalu's minister emphasized the need to preserve the country's culture and heritage by creating a digital nation to respond to the physical land's disappearance due to climate change. More: - The winning campaign, titled "The First Digital Nation," raises awareness about Tuvalu's vulnerability to rising sea levels and the potential extinction of the Pacific Island nation.
- Tuvalu's Minister Simon Kofe proposed creating a digital realm to preserve the country's identity in the face of climate change.
- The concept of a digital nation aims to provide an alternative and sustainable future for Tuvalu in the virtual realm.
- This campaign draws global attention to the urgent need for action to address climate change and its impacts on vulnerable nations.
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