Skillz Introduces Real-Money Gaming To Android

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Skillz has launched a mobile SDK to enable players to compete for real-money in skills-based gaming. This open beta Android software allows developers of skill-based titles to host cash competitions in 36 U.S. states, while free and virtual currency tournaments can be created worldwide.

“While mobile gaming continues to boom, game developers need innovative, yet complementary ways to monetize their content. 80 percent of mobile games revenue went to the top twenty development studios last year,” said Andrew Paradise, CEO and founder of Skillz. “Tournaments take mobile gaming to the next level by enhancing gameplay, making it more social and fun as players compete against each other. For developers, competitions translate into longer sessions, better user retention and increased revenue.”

The company is launching with support from ten game studios with a variety of different games. Skillz raised $1.3 million in seed capital from Atlas Venture, Nextview Ventures and angel investors late last year.

Source: Skillz.com

Skyrim Gets Legendary Edition

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Bethsoft recently confirmed the upcoming launch of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Legendary Edition. This complete Skyrim collection is coming to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on June 4 for $59.99, while Europe will see its release on June 7.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Legendary Edition includes the most up-to-date version of the original game using the 1.9 title update. The package also includes three add-ons: Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn.

Source: Bethblog.com

Google Now Comes To iOS

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Google has updated their Search App for iOS, adding vocal searches in the form of Google Now to iOS. Google Now has been an integrated feature of Android 4.1 since June 2012.

Signing onto the service will potentially inform the user of any package deliveries, flight delays, football scores, sightseeing suggestions or traffic problems before work. Google Now is equivalent to the “signed-in” experience of using Google services in the browser and it can share information across other Google services to help you and offer information it thinks you want.

Source: GigaOM.com

T-Mobile Criticized For ‘Uncarrier’ Ads

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T-Mobile recently launched what it called its “Uncarrier” plans. In the immediate aftermath of the announcement, subscribers urged Verizon to drop wireless contracts as well.

Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson, however, is criticizing T-Mobile for what he calls “deceptive advertising that promised consumers no annual contracts.” While T-Mobile’s Uncarrier plans are no longer tied with cell service contracts or smartphone subsidies, users still have to sign an agreement to pay the full cost of handsets if they cancel their Uncarrier service plan before time.

T-Mobile has responded by signing an Assurance of Discontinuance and will longer advertise that customers can get wireless service and devices without any restrictions. T-Mobile will tell customers excplictly that they will have to pay the balance due on the device if they cancel their wireless service plan and those that purchased the plan before April 25 can cancel without penalty.

Source: UberGizmo.com

Persona 4 Arena Euro Goodies

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Persona 4 Arena is finally coming to Europe and it’s getting a cool special edition from the Zen Store. This is in addition to the pre-order bonuses that include a bonus content pack featuring the official soundtrack, exclusive artwork and other digital items.

The special edition has in addition to a copy of Persona 4 Arena, a 300 piece P4A jigsaw puzzle, a Teddie and Midnight Channel double Keyring and a Chie’s badge set. This is all wrapped up in in a Screen Printed Midnight Channel tote bag.

Aliens: Colonial Marines Draws Legal Attention For Ad Discrepancy

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Sega and Gearbox have been named in a class-action lawsuit in Northern California over Aliens: Colonial Marines. Law firm Edelson LLC is filing the case on behalf of Damion Perrine and deals will the differences between what was shown off of the game in trailers and playable demos and the final product, along with the embargo for the review code of the game which might have informed consumers who pre-ordered the game.

“Each of the ‘actual gameplay’ demonstrations purported to show consumers exactly what they would be buying: a cutting edge video game with very specific features and qualities,” Edelson’s filing explained. “Unfortunately for their fans, Defendants never told anyone – consumers, industry critics, reviewers, or reporters – that their ‘actual gameplay’ demonstration advertising campaign bore little resemblance to the retail product that would eventually be sold to a large community of unwitting purchasers.”

“The gaming community had a strong reaction to the release of Aliens: Colonial Marines,” added Edelson’s Ben Thomassen. “We think the video game industry is no different than any other that deals with consumers: if companies like Sega and Gearbox promise their customers one thing but deliver something else, then they should be held accountable for that decision.”

Sega of Europe has already admitted that the ads for Aliens: Colonial Marines misled.

Source: Polygon

This Week’s [a]list Jobs – May 1

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[a]list daily is now your source for the hottest job openings for senior management and marketing in games, entertainment and social media. Check here every Wednesday for the latest openings!

Here are this week’s [a]list jobs:

  • Turtle Beach, Brand Marketing Manager (Greater San Diego Area)
  • Activision Publishing Inc, Digital Marketing Manager (Greater Los Angeles Area)
  • Microsoft, Digital First Console Gaming, Director-IEB-Marketing (Greater Seattle Area)
  • NVIDIA, Social Media Strategist (San Francisco Bay Area)

FEATURED JOBS:

 

Ayzenberg Group, one of the largest independent ad firms on the West Coast, is hiring. We’re currently looking to fill these positions: Creative Lead: Visual Design, Game Capture Artist, Lead Web/UI Software Engineer and more. Check out our Careers page to apply.