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Evening Reading - October 28, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers several gaming and tech updates, including release date announcements for Witchbrook and City of None, the Forsaken Update for No Man's Sky, and new Dead by Daylight characters. It also touches on financial results for Microsoft and Google, and the 19th anniversary of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.
Google (GOOGL) reports $11.207 billion of YouTube ad revenue in Q3 2026
Google reported $11.207 billion in YouTube ad revenue for Q3 2026, an increase from $10.26 billion in Q3 2025. This revenue contributed to Google's overall Q3 2026 revenue of $127.58 billion. The article notes a significant increase in ad spend on YouTube during the US midterm election year.
Google (GOOGL) Q3 2026 earnings results miss revenue and EPS expectations
Google reported its Q3 2026 earnings, missing both revenue and EPS expectations. The company posted $127.6 billion in revenue against an expected $128.22 billion, and $2.12 EPS versus a $2.94 estimate. The stock saw a significant drop following the announcement.
Xreal opens pre-orders for Aura Android XR glasses today
Xreal has opened pre-orders for its Aura Android XR glasses, developed in conjunction with Google and Qualcomm. These glasses are the first to run on Google's Android XR operating system, powered by Qualcomm processors and featuring compatibility with Google Gemini AI functions. The glasses boast 1200p resolution at 120Hz, Bose sound, and a lightweight design, with options for wired mirroring to PCs or consoles. Pre-order pricing ranges from $1,099 to $1,499 USD, with shipping expected in mid-November.
Proton's Black Friday sale is already live: ditch Google with up to 70% off its VPN and 50% off unlimited plan
Proton has launched its Black Friday sale, offering significant discounts on its suite of privacy-focused services. Proton Unlimited is available with up to 70% off, including mail, calendar, cloud storage, and password management tools. Proton VPN is also discounted, with a 24-month plan offering substantial savings. These deals are presented as an attractive alternative to Google's services for users concerned about online privacy.
Discord Messages in Discoverable Servers Will Soon Be Searchable on Google
Starting November 16, Discord will allow Google to search messages within its discoverable public servers. This change aims to make content within these large gaming communities more accessible.
Korean police arrest cyberhacking gang reportedly led by self-taught hacker, who allegedly used AI to breach 60 firms…
South Korean police have arrested a cyberhacking gang, reportedly led by a self-taught individual who utilized AI tools to breach over 60 firms. Despite demanding significant ransoms, the gang allegedly only received a small fraction of the demanded amount. The stolen data included sensitive customer information, and while police acted swiftly, the incident highlights a worrying trend of AI being used for criminal activities.
Epic AI MegaJam Sparks Backlash Over AI Direction
Epic Games' announcement of its AI MegaJam, which encourages developers to use AI extensively in game creation, has sparked significant backlash from the development community. Critics argue that Epic is misrepresenting the capabilities of AI and disrespecting the established practices of game jams and rapid prototyping. The event, despite initially requiring AI use, now lists it as optional but still promotes AI-assisted development heavily.
It Took 4 Google AI Agents Over 27 Hours to Defeat the Ender Dragon in Minecraft Without Help From Humans
Four Google Gemini 4 Argon AI agents successfully defeated the Ender Dragon in Minecraft without human assistance, taking just over 27 hours. This achievement is believed to be a world first in AI-driven gameplay.
The Sunday Papers
This article discusses various essays and critical pieces, touching on interactive fiction tools like Twine, the complexities of identity and geopolitics, film analysis of "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East," the nature of horror in media, transgender rights, and the societal and environmental impacts of generative AI.
Google Play adds Game Finder, Sprints, and Sidekick Playbacks in discovery push
Google Play is introducing new features to enhance game discovery and social interaction, including a personalized Game Finder, timed Sprints, and clip-sharing via Sidekick. The platform is also expanding its Quests to offer in-game items and bringing PC titles to Google Play with cloud save functionality across Android and PC. Additionally, Google is offering lower service fees to standout titles through its Apps Experience and Level Up programs.
Minecraft’s Verity Is A Top Trending Halloween Costume For 2026
Google's Frightgeist list, which tracks trending Halloween costumes based on search data, has revealed that 'Verity' from Minecraft is a top trending costume for 2026. Verity is a horror web series set within Minecraft, featuring a character that starts as a smiling face and becomes increasingly unhinged. The character ranked seventh on the overall list, with Los Angeles showing the most searches for it.
'AI godfather' worries we're creating 'alien beings' with artificial intelligence, with pesky…
Geoffrey Hinton, a pioneer in AI, expresses deep concerns about the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, likening current models to 'alien beings' and warning of the need for rapid adaptation. He argues that AI models possess a form of understanding and that humanity has a moral obligation towards them, while also criticizing the tech industry's self-regulation efforts. The article also includes commentary from an expert who questions the notion of AI consciousness and suggests that claims of AI sentience may be a tactic to maintain industry momentum.
Former game-seller Zavvi enters administration again and "is unable to fulfil any outstanding orders or pre-orders"
Former game retailer Zavvi has entered administration for the second time, ceasing all trading and stating it cannot fulfill outstanding orders or pre-orders. Customers who have paid for undelivered goods are advised to contact their payment providers. Separately, Microsoft's Xbox division has launched Xbox Labs, a new initiative led by Scott Van Vliet to explore emerging trends in game development and player experiences, particularly in the context of rapid game decompilation and remixing, though it avoids explicit mention of AI.
Ex-Fortnite producer says AI controversy "is mostly for show" as Epic Games faces backlash for its new…
A former Fortnite producer, Aakash Gupta, suggests that Epic Games' recent pivot towards AI acceleration is largely performative, stating that the company has always moved quickly when its CEO, Tim Sweeney, decides on a new direction. Gupta argues that Epic's integration of AI tools into Unreal Engine bypasses industry backlash and that most developers will adopt these features regardless of public debate. He believes the industry's current AI controversy is 'mostly for show,' as many developers are already using AI in their workflows.
Tim Sweeney says Epic Games 'aims to survive AI revolution' with AI pivot
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced a significant pivot towards artificial intelligence, aiming to "survive the AI revolution" by retooling developers for "maximum AI acceleration." The company intends to leverage AI to enable teams using Unreal Engine to create more and better content faster. This move aligns with broader industry trends, as companies like Google and Netflix are also integrating generative AI into their operations.
'Our humble goal is to survive the AI revolution' says Epic Games CEO, as its Star Wars and Marvel crossover…
Epic Games is undergoing a significant pivot towards an 'AI first' development model, delaying an unannounced Star Wars and Marvel shooter indefinitely. CEO Tim Sweeney stated the company's goal is to 'survive the AI revolution' by enabling developers to build more and better content faster, though the article expresses skepticism about the industry's approach to generative AI.
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii releases game he says he made with AI in about 30 minutes
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii has demonstrated a new text-based police interrogation game he created using AI in approximately 30 minutes. Horii stated that AI tools now enable individuals without drawing or programming skills to develop functional games, contrasting it with his solo development of The Portopia Serial Murder Case in 1983. He has previously incorporated AI into Dragon Quest X and is involved with future Dragon Quest titles.
Dragon Quest co-creator Yuji Horii releases new AI-generated game, and he says it took 30 minutes to make
Dragon Quest co-creator Yuji Horii has released a new text-based interrogation game that he claims took only 30 minutes to create using generative AI. Horii, who developed the 1983 game The Portopia Serial Murder Case largely by himself, expressed astonishment at AI's capabilities. This follows his previous use of AI in Dragon Quest 10 and his consideration of AI for future projects, amidst ongoing industry controversy surrounding AI in game development.
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii continues his love affair with AI slop as he releases a new game he generated in 30…
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii has released a new game, 'Interrogation Room Komiya,' which he claims took only 30 minutes to create using generative AI. Horii expresses strong enthusiasm for AI in game development, contrasting with critical views from figures like Hideo Kojima. This development raises questions about the future of AI in major titles like Dragon Quest 12.
