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Twitch streamers can now refuse to let Amazon train its genAI models on their content
Twitch has introduced an opt-out toggle allowing streamers to prevent their content from being used to train Amazon's generative AI models. This feature provides streamers with control over how their data is utilized for AI development.
Amazon to give live service operations of Lost Ark to Smilegate
Amazon is transferring the live service operations for the MMORPGs Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty in Western territories to Smilegate, the games' developer and original publisher. This change will take effect in early 2027 for Lost Ark and Q4 2026 for Throne and Liberty, with no expected impact on player experience. Smilegate will assume full responsibility for managing these titles in North America and other Western regions.
God Of War’s Christopher Judge Is Tired Of Video Game TV Adaptations Ignoring Game Creators
Christopher Judge, the voice of Kratos in God of War, expresses frustration with video game TV adaptations for often excluding creators from the original games. He highlights The Last of Us and Amazon's upcoming God of War series as examples where original talent was not utilized, questioning the decision-making process behind these projects.
Amazon drops Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty
Amazon is ending its publishing deals for the MMOs Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty in Western markets. NCSoft will take over publishing for Throne and Liberty near the end of 2026, while Smilegate will do the same for Lost Ark in early 2027. This move signifies the end of Amazon's significant ambitions in the MMO publishing space, following earlier shifts away from big-budget game development.
God of War star Christopher Judge criticizes The Last of Us and similar adaptations for excluding people who made the…
God of War actor Christopher Judge criticizes video game adaptations for failing to hire the original game developers and writers. He cites The Last of Us and the upcoming God of War TV series as examples of this trend, questioning why creators don't leverage the talent that built the source material.
Amazon Ending Lost Ark Support but Smilegate Will Keep It Alive
Amazon is ceasing support for the MMORPG Lost Ark, which it had imported. However, the game's developer, Smilegate, will continue to maintain the game, ensuring its survival.
New trailer for Amazon thriller movie based on a twisted Colleen Hoover novel has arrived, and it's now one of my…
A new trailer has been released for the Amazon thriller film Verity, based on Colleen Hoover's novel. The movie follows Lowen Ashleigh, a writer hired to complete the works of paralyzed author Verity Crawford, who uncovers disturbing autobiographical writings. Directed by Michael Showalter and adapted by Nick Antosca, the film stars Dakota Johnson, Anne Hathaway, and Josh Hartnett, and is set to release in theaters on October 2.
Reacher season 4 release schedule: What time is episode 1 on Prime Video?
Reacher season 4 is set to premiere on Prime Video on August 12, with the first three episodes releasing simultaneously. New episodes will then be released weekly until September 16, concluding the 8-episode season. The upcoming season adapts Lee Child's 13th Reacher novel, 'Gone Tomorrow'.
NYC Mayor Mamdani announces support for the Delivery Protection Act
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced support for the Delivery Protection Act, a measure aimed at regulating the use of contractors for last-mile delivery services. Amazon is reportedly opposing the legislation, which seeks to establish protections for delivery workers.
Amazon Discounts MTG Commander Decks From Marvel and Strixhaven
Amazon is offering discounts on Magic: The Gathering Commander decks, including those themed around Marvel and Strixhaven. These pre-constructed decks provide an accessible entry point for players looking to jump into the popular trading card game.
Ex-God of War star reveals new look at his Kratos, and it's way better than what Amazon showed us
Actor Ryan Hurst, who was previously cast as Kratos in Amazon's God of War TV series, has shared new images of his portrayal after an injury led to his departure from the production. Hurst's depiction is considered an improvement over the show's initial official look. The article also mentions upcoming God of War games, including 'God of War: Laufey' and a new Kratos-led title.
Prime Video Already Has the Best Spy Series on Streaming, and Amazon Owning Bond Doesn’t Change That
This article argues that Prime Video's Jack Ryan series is the best spy show on streaming, even with Amazon's acquisition of the James Bond franchise. It highlights Jack Ryan's grounded approach to espionage, its blend of action and political intrigue, and its character development as superior to the traditional Bond formula.
A Texas Gas Plant Built for One Amazon Data Center Could Out-Pollute America’s Biggest Coal Facility
A new natural gas power plant in Texas, built to supply an Amazon data center, has a permit allowing up to 33 million tons of CO2 emissions annually, potentially exceeding the output of the nation's largest coal plant. While plants rarely operate at full permitted capacity, the high ceiling raises concerns about environmental impact, especially as companies like Meta and Google also invest in non-renewable power sources for their data centers. This trend conflicts with corporate climate pledges, including Amazon's commitment to carbon neutrality by 2040.
Game Crossovers and Collaborations
The Amazon Prime Video adaptation of God of War is undergoing further recasting, with the production now seeking older actors to portray the characters Atreus and Thrud. This news comes as the series continues its development.
Saturday Tech Bits
This article rounds up recent tech news, including Amazon's use of old rules for an AI data center and an AMD P-State patch improving Linux gaming performance. The content is sourced from Tom's Hardware and Linux Journal.
God of War TV series sees further recasts as Amazon seeks older actors for Atreus and Thrud
Amazon's God of War television series is undergoing recasts for the roles of Atreus and Thrud, with plans to cast older actors for Season 2. This creative decision follows an injury that led to Kratos actor Ryan Hurst departing the role, with Dave Bautista reportedly in talks to replace him. The recasting suggests Season 2 will adapt events from God of War: Ragnarök.
OpenAI’s Ring-Shaped Speaker Reportedly Lands at $300–$400
OpenAI is reportedly developing a ring-shaped smart speaker with moving parts, expected to launch in 2027 with a price tag of $300-$400. The device, designed in collaboration with Jony Ive's LoveFrom studio, aims to bring ChatGPT into homes as a persistent presence. However, the premium price point and the competitive smart speaker market, where giants like Amazon and Google have struggled with profitability, pose significant challenges. OpenAI also faces a lawsuit from Apple over alleged trade secret theft related to its hardware ambitions.
Midday Tech Bits
AMD's account payables increased by $2.36 billion last quarter, partially obscuring a squeeze in free cash flow despite record earnings. Separately, Amazon is reportedly cracking down on 'CPU waste'.
Amazon Knocks $10 off Physical Nintendo Switch Sports Resort Preorders
Amazon is offering a $10 discount on preorders for the physical version of Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, matching the digital price ahead of its October launch. The game is set to release on the Nintendo Switch.
Games Inbox: Why are Call Of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 so popular?
This article discusses the surprising resurgence in popularity of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops II, attributing it to nostalgia despite them being straight ports. It also touches on EA's developer layoffs, Amazon Luna's performance, and the ongoing debate about game map size versus content.