Okay, that headline isn’t quite accurate. But, The Game Awards audience did break one (or more) destinations on the Internet. Namely Gleam.io. It was from that competitive sweepstakes platform that The Game Awards ran two promotions: one was to give away 100 Steam Deck OLED handhelds and the other was to give away 100 Lenovo Legion Go handhelds.
Unfortunately, when the livestream began for The Game Awards — the very popular annual awards ceremony that celebrates and honors achievements in the video game industry — that’s when issues cropped up in a hurry.
View of reported issues on the evening of Dec. 7 with Gleam.io, according to Downinspector.com (Image: Downinspector.com)
According to a Sportskeeda article, “When the (Gaming Awards) event began, there were around 385k viewers on Twitch and 884k on YouTube.” Of those hundreds of thousands of livestreaming users, it’s fair to estimate that many thousand attempted to try to log in around the same time and fulfill the requirements to attempt to participate in the giveaway promotion.
Gleam.io jumped on their X account to try to explain what was happening, and why:
We’ve resolved and most campaigns should be up and running properly again. The Game Awards campaign is essentially DDOSing our servers with over 850% normal traffic load, we’re trying to allow entries without affecting other campaigns, hold tight!
As evidenced by the spike in the number of reported issues with Gleam.io, and by their own admission, it’s clear that the reported 850% spike in traffic was more than the platform could handle at once. Gleam also noted that some international participants were unable to join (then were allowed) and that “rate limiting” was used to throttle the flow of attempted sign-ups and participants.
The Game Awards campaign should allow Canadian & UK postcodes correctly now. We’re rate limiting signups until we can manage the load but if you’ve loaded the campaign already you should be able to enter this now.
Given the massive number of viewers of The Game Awards attracted, while some of the giveaway participants couldn’t quite join or fulfill each entry option, this Hunger Games quote may be applicable to folks hoping to win one of those handheld gaming PCs: “May the odds be ever in your favor.”
ARLINGTON, VA — Dec 07, 2023 The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® announced today that Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger will keynote at CES 2024. On January 9, alongside CNBC Nasdaq correspondent Kristina Partsinevelos, Gelsinger will discuss the critical roles that silicon and software play in making AI more accessible, providing powerful compute and enabling modern economies.
“AI is fueling a fundamental shift, driving interconnectivity between technology and humanity,” Gelsinger said. “At the center of this transition is silicon. Whether it is your PC, the checkout at your local retail store or your personal automobile, semiconductors are essential to maintaining and enabling our modern economies and lifestyles. At CES 2024, we will explore how these chips – amplified by innovative and open software – are enabling AI capabilities for consumers and business alike, creating a better, more sustainable and inclusive future for all.”
With more than four decades of technology leadership and experience driving innovation, Gelsinger has dedicated 30 of those years to Intel in engineering and executive roles. Before returning to Intel in 2021, Gelsinger was CEO of VMware from 2012 to 2021, where he elevated the company to its spot as a global leader in cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure and enterprise mobility.
Beginning his career at Intel in 1979, Gelsinger managed the creation of key industry technologies like USB and Wi-Fi. He was the architect of the original 80486 processor, led 14 microprocessor programs and played key roles in the Intel® Core™ and Intel® Xeon® processor families. He served as Intel’s first chief technology officer, contributing to Intel becoming the world’s preeminent microprocessor supplier.
Gelsinger is the recipient of multiple awards in the technology industry and holds eight patents across computer architecture, communications and VLSI design.
“Pat is a dynamic leader who has brought decades of experience to Intel. Under his leadership, the company is delivering on technology’s promise to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including solutions for climate change, healthcare, education and more,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA.
Intel is bringing its AI thought-leadership to multiple stages at CES, and will also feature:
A January 11 Great Minds session, Bringing the Limitless Potential of AI Everywhere, led by Lisa Spelman, Corporate Vice President and General Manager, and Wei Li, Vice President and General Manager of Intel’s Data Center and AI Group.
A half-day conference track on January 10, Unlocking the New AI Era, featuring multiple Intel executives.
In 2022, Intel won a CES Innovation Award for the universal connectivity of Thunderbolt 4. A decades- long CES exhibitor and participant, Intel will join an impressive ALL ON keynote lineup including leaders from L’Oréal, Walmart, Nasdaq, Siemens, Elevance Health, HD Hyundai and Qualcomm. Watch the CES keynote page for updates as additional speakers are announced.
Logistics:
Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger will speak at 5 p.m. PT on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, in the Palazzo Ballroom at the Venetian. The keynote will be livestreamed via the CES app, which is available today.
CES 2024 is January 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Registration is open. For the latest CES 2024 news, exhibitor information and conference updates, visit CES.tech.
ATLANTA, DECEMBER 7, 2023 — GamesWeek Georgia has released additional details of a week of activities and events taking place to celebrate all aspects of the gaming and esports industry in Georgia, December 11-17, 2023.
“Gaming is quietly the largest segment of the $2 trillion global entertainment industry,” said Todd Harris, CEO of Skillshot Media. “GamesWeek Georgia celebrates the gaming and esports industry, bringing together gaming leaders and experts from around the world alongside a week of consumer events, culminating in one of North America’s largest gaming festivals — DreamHack Atlanta.”
As global esports has exploded, Georgia (and Atlanta) is often called the nation’s esports capital by some enthusiasts, including the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). According to the GDEcD, digital entertainment is a $550 million industry in the state, responsible for more than 12,000 direct and indirect jobs.
GEORGIA GAMESWEEK ACTIVITIES GamesWeek Georgia will kick off on Monday, December 11 and culminate with DreamHack AtlantaDecember 15-17 at the Georgia World Congress Center.
GAMING PANEL & SCREENING* | PLAZA THEATRE | MON, DEC 11 “THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE” (Details and Tickets HERE)
7:30pm — Panel: The Intersection of Gaming, Film & Music
• Big Cheese, Nappy Boy Gaming
• Christopher Escobar, Executive Director of Atlanta Film Festival / Owner of the Plaza and Tara Theatres
• Bob Carter, Voice Actor (Mortal Kombat, Asgard’s Wrath 2, The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed, MultiVersus)
• Todd Harris, Skillshot / Atlanta Esports Alliance
8pm — Film Screening: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”
While working underground to fix a water main, Brooklyn plumbers—and brothers—Mario and Luigi are transported down a mysterious pipe and wander into a magical new world. But when the brothers are separated, Mario embarks on an epic quest to find Luigi.
* Each ticket purchased to attend this event at the Plaza Theatre will also include either a free 3-day pass or a free 1-day family pass (2 adults, 4 kids) to attend DreamHack Atlanta.Tickets are $15 (plus tax) and are available at www.plazaatlanta.com/movie/dreamhack-the-super-mario-bros-movie.
There will be Toys for Tots x DreamHack donation bins at the Plaza Theatre and on site at DreamHack, as well as at partnered businesses and organizations throughout Metro Atlanta. Those attending the Plaza Theatre event are encouraged to bring a toy to donate.
GIRLGAMER ATLANTA | SKILLSHOT MEDIA ATRIUM | DEC 13
Celebrating women’s competitiveness in esports and engaging young women in STEM/STEAM. The top four professional teams will compete in Rocket League onsite. The winning team will represent the USA at the GIRLGAMER International Finals in 2024. A limited number of FREE tickets are available for students as part of school field trips. More details HERE.
• 8am — Breakfast for Parents of Gamers: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Gaming • 10am — Career Panels: Women Working in Gaming & Esports • 11am — Youth STEM/STEAM Engagement | Meet Women Pro Gamers, YouTubers and Streamers | Onsite Gaming Competitions and Activities | Behind-The-Scenes Tour of Live Esports Production • 12pm — Rocket League Girl Gamer Atlanta Championship Tournament
ESPORTS SUMMIT | SKILLSHOT MEDIA ATRIUM | DEC 14
The annual Esport Summit will take place, punctuating the thriving esports industry in Georgia and beyond. Esports Summit provides global business leaders and educators a comprehensive view of the entire esports ecosystem, including networking opportunities, presentations from industry leaders, and workshops with some of the largest names in the esports and scholastic esports industry. EsportsSummit tickets include a FREE 3-day pass to attend DreamHack Atlanta (Dec 15-17). More details HERE.
Esports Summit Speakers (100+) including:
Larry Settembrini (DreamHack) | Wayne Mackey (Aim Lab) | Julian Cagggiano (Ghost Gaming) | Marco Mereu (M80 Esports) | Wim Stocks (Belong Gaming Arenas) | Rob Stamey (G2 Esports) | Neil Duffy (eFuse) | Robb Chiarini (Zenni) | Julian Fitzgerald (Cxmmunity) | Chris Aviles (Garden State Esports | Jen Dawson (CDW-G) | Malcolm Coley (Futures First Gaming) | Dr. Joey Gawrysiak (Esports, Syracuse University) | Jihan Johnston (NASEF/BeatBotics)
Esports Summit Activities include:
Industry Panels | Scholastic Esports | Professional Teams | Student Tournaments | Workshops | Behind-The-Scenes Tour of Skillshot | Mixers and Networking
• 8am — Registration + Breakfast • 9am — Welcome | Hosting and Operating Large Live Events • 10am — Discovering My Purpose Through Gaming • 11am — Brands Activating in Gaming & Esports | Esports Venues: Best Practices for Sustainability | Esports is Community: Research and Impact • 12pm — Lunch + Showmatch in Brawlhalla • 1pm — Esports Teams: The Path Forward | Esports City Showdown: Esports for Economic Development | Elementary & Middle School Scholastic Esports • 2pm — Health and Wellness in Gaming | Esports League Operations and Referees | Tools and Resources for Esports Coaches • 3pm — Equity and Access in Gaming and Esports | Adaptive Gaming | High School Scholastic Esports • 4pm — Perspectives from Around the Globe on Gaming, Esports and Education | Pathways Through Content Creation | Collegiate/University Scholastic Esports • 5pm — Performance Training for Gaming and Health | Esports Ecosystem: Sustainability and Growth | Yes, the U.S. has a National Esports Team • 5:40pm — Esports Summit Legacy Award Presentation • 6pm — Georgia Entertainment 100 VIP Creative Industry Mixer
VIP INDUSTRY MIXER | SKILLSHOT ATRIUM | DEC 14, 6PM The Signature Georgia Entertainment 100 creative industry mixer will host the who’s who of film, music, gaming and broadcast around the theme of gaming, esports and digital entertainment. Including directors, producers, and studio executives across film, gaming, music & esports, the invite-only gathering is also an opportunity to honor elected political leaders and government officials to recognize their role facilitating Georgia’s digital entertainment economy.
SIEGE | GEORGIA WORLD CONGRESS CENTER | DEC 14-17
This year, the annual SIEGE conference will take place as part of DreamHack Atlanta. SIEGE is the largest professional game development conference in the South to learn about game art, audio, business, design, esports, programming, VR and more. The event will also include a college fair for high school students interested in the Gaming industry on Thursday, December 14. SIEGE tickets include access to DreamHack Atlanta. Full details on SIEGE are available HERE.
DREAMHACK ATLANTA | GEORGIA WORLD CONGRESS CENTER | DEC 15-17 DreamHack, an international gaming lifestyle festival and ESL FACEIT Group brand, is returning to Atlanta for the fifth edition of its immersive, gaming lifestyle experience where the community comes to life. The festival weekends feature everything gaming under one roof as attendees experience professional esports tournaments, amateur and varsity gaming tournaments, world-famous bring-your-own-computer (BYOC) LAN party, cosplay championship, panels, art, activities, expo, screenings, and more. Tickets are available now at dreamhack.com/atlanta/tickets.
TOKYO – Dec. 4th, 2023 – INDIE Live Expo Winter 2023, the digital showcase connecting indie game fans all over the world via a two-day broadcast in English, Japanese, and Chinese, has concluded their final event of 2023. Viewers worldwide tuned in for world premieres and updates across more than 100 games, a virtual trip to the Netherlands, and the fourth annual INDIE Live Expo Awards ceremony.
Hotly-anticipated titles revealed during the INDIE Live Expo “Summer Spotlight” returned this Winter with fresh news and release date announcements including Omega Crafter, the open-world crafting survival game by Preferred Networks, announcing the open beta now available on Steam for PC. Scavenge, craft and battle mythical beasts with friends in Enshrouded, the co-op survival action RPG developed by Keen Games, showcasing its latest trailer.
Japan’s oldest Indie publisher PLAYISM showcased multiple updates including the release date of Fight Crab 2, the thrilling sequel to its crustacean combat game developed by Calappa Games, which claws its way onto Steam on Tuesday, Feb. 13th, 2024. Momodora: Moonlit Farewell, and the sequel to the award-winning metroidvania Momodora: Reverie Under The Moonlight developed by Bombservice, announced a release date of Thursday, Jan. 11th, 2024.
Form loving bonds during battle in the latest trailer for romantic JRPG dungeon-crawler Witch and Lilies developed by Stromatosoft Inc, now in development for PC via Steam. Question one’s humanity in Boyhood’s End, the sci-fi adventure by WSS playground (Needy Streamer Overload), coming to Steam in Spring 2024.
INDIE Live Expo took a trip to the Netherlands for a deep dive into the Dutch indie gaming scene during this years “INDIES Around the World” segment, and returned home to showcase Fahrenheit 213’s fully hand-drawn RPG TSURUGUHIME. To date, INDIE Live Expo has shared more than 2400 indie games to 88 million fans worldwide since its debut in 2020.
The INDIE Live Expo Steam event features discounts on games featured during the Winter 2023 showcase, as well as price cuts on alumni indies from past events. Take advantage of savings on last year’s award winners including 2022 Grand Prize winner Unpacking, the zen-like isometric puzzle game developed by Witch Beam, until Saturday, Dec. 10th, 2023 at 3:00 JST.
“This year’s INDIE Live Expo Winter was a phenomenal success. We saw an incredible array of talent from indie developers, each bringing unique and captivating experiences to the gaming world.,” said Ryuta Konuma, Founder and CEO, Ryu’s Office. “We’re already excited about the future and look forward to elevating indie gaming to even greater heights in 2024.”
INDIE Live Expo would like to thank our various sponsors such as Cygames, Preferred Networks, Keen Games, Stromatosoft Inc., WSS playground, 213℉, Aniplex, Freedom Games, PLAYISM, Whisper Games, ID@Xbox, Alliance Arts, INTI CREATES, Kagura Games, G-MODE, Happinet, room6, GYAAR Studio and Swaps4, as well as media partners Anime News Network, BaziCenter, Bleeding Cool, CGMagazine, Console Creatures, Couch Soup, Drops de Jogos, Final Weapon, Gematsu, Pizza Fria, PlayGround, Sportskeeda, and Techie Overload.
INDIE Live Expo extends a special thanks to this years voting panel including 3DJuegos, Anime News Network, BaziCenter, Bleeding Cool, CGMagazine, Console Creatures, Couch Soup, Cubiq, Drops de Jogos, Final Weapon, Fox News, GameStar, GamesVillage, Gaming Nexus, Gematsu, Gfinity Esports, GLHF, Pizza Fria, RPGFan, PlayGround, Sportskeeda, Techie Overload, TechRaptor, TrueAchievements, Zone of Games, Aron Garst, Ethan Anderson, Jason Fanelli, Jennifer Allen and Lewis Packwood.
Rewatch DAY1 and DAY2 of INDIE Live Expo Winter 2023 on YouTube.
Press Release: It’s official: the biggest event of games will now also be in Brazil, or rather, in Latin America. That’s right! You can do your celebratory dance, because gamescom latam is coming!
Get ready to experience the game on and off the screen, with the latest releases, news from the biggest publishers on the planet, the BIG Festival, the biggest games festival in Latin America, and a whole event of attractions for you to explore.
The Business Area will also receive its upgrades! More meetings, more company areas and more opportunities to promote your project and find new partners who will take your game to the next level.
Running November 28th through the end of 2023, the initiative aims to raise $100,000 for these organizations’ efforts in supporting game industry workers and players alike, amidst a year of widespread layoffs and an ongoing national mental health crisis.
These six organizations collectively work to make the games industry more diverse and inclusive, foster supportive environments for professional growth and skill development, and support the mental health of game lovers and creators.
The Stronger Together In Games campaign seeks $100,000 in crowdfunded donations and an additional $50,000 in corporate matching funds. Pledges have already been secured from partners, including Amazon Games, Google for Games, SEGA of America, StridePR, Foundation Law, Clever Endeavor, Codename Entertainment, Modulate, and Midwest Games. Additionally, the group is hosting a 24-hour charity stream on December 8th to raise funds for the cause.
“The past year has been a challenging time for the games industry. As non-profit organizations that support game creators and players worldwide, we’re seeing skyrocketing demand for our programs and services” said Dr. Jakin Vela, Executive Director of IGDA. “The funds we raise will support our continued efforts in creating and sharing resources, facilitating networking opportunities and mentorship, and coordinating impactful programming aimed to diversify the industry, and more.”
The International Game Developers Association is the largest nonprofit membership organization serving game developers worldwide. The IGDA is committed to advancing the careers and enhancing the lives of game developers by connecting members with their peers, promoting professional development, and advocating on issues that affect the developer community.
The IGDA Foundation (IGDA-F) advances a diverse workforce and ecosystem for the video game industry to better reflect the millions of passionate players enjoying video games worldwide.
The IGDA-F focuses on promoting a game development community representative of, and welcoming and inclusive to, every person who wants to make games. The IGDA-F garners support for diversity and inclusion in the video game industry with initiatives such as its IGDA Scholars, Velocity, and Next Gen Leaders programs, with others in the pipeline.
The IGDA Foundation is a public charity, registered as a 501(c)3 organization in the United States.
Happy Decorations December! Ok, that pun wasn’t all that great, but we were thinking of December = a delight of delicate decorations around the Christmas tree.
We’ve put together yet another great list of events you can attend this month! Thanks in large to your contributions in submitting events to the calendar.
Check out this month’s event list below. You can also click here for the main calendar that includes events into 2023 and beyond.
Immerse yourself in the global game market at WN Conference Belgrade’23 and join 800+ attendees from local and international game companies on December 7-8 for two days of networking and learning.
Don’t miss:
Hottest game industry topics and insightful lectures from the stellar speakers, including Raphael Colantonio, John Kavanagh, and Johnnemann Nordhagen;
Developer Showcase, featuring over 30 projects, and the WN Dev Contest with valuable prizes. Participation lets join the event for free. Applications will be accepted until November 27;
Two fantastic networking parties are planned as part of the conference;
Career wall highlighting some of the best job opportunities in Serbia and beyond.
The Indie Game Award organized by Taipei Game Show (TGS) has risen to unprecedented heights within the Asia-Pacific region and captured the global interest of indie game developers with entries from 267 outstanding indie games hailing from 43 countries/regions. Developers from Brunei, Greece, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Pakistan, Argentina, and several other nations are participating in the event for the first time this year.
After the pre-selection phase, a total of 25 entrants from 14 countries/regions have successfully advanced to the final phase. In the final phase, a panel of judges consisting of experts from the gaming industry, media journalists, past IGA winners, and influencers will evaluate and select the ultimate winners across eight categories, including the prestigious Grand Prix award. The award-winning games of Indie Game Award 2024 will be showcased at Taipei Game Show 2024 with dedicated booths, offering hands-on experiences for visitors to explore the unique charm of indie games.
Finalist Spotlight: Serbian Standout and Robust Representation by Taiwanese developers
The nominated teams, spanning from Taiwan, China, Japan, Canada, Indonesia, Spain, Poland, the UK, Thailand, Serbia, Switzerland, Germany, Australia, and South Korea, showcase an array of diversity and creative visions. Notably, Serbia’s Ebb Software emerges as a standout with their first-person horror adventure game, “Scorn.” This immersive creation introduces a uniquely interconnected open world, delivering an exceptionally realistic interactive experience.
Taiwanese indie game developers took the lead in the number of entries in this year’s Indie Game Award, followed by Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia. The strength of Taiwanese developers was evident in the pre-selection phase, with multiple outstanding works receiving praise from participants and successfully advancing to the final phase. Notable entries include “Nine Sols,” a soul-style steampunk 2D side-scrolling adventure puzzle game by Red Candle Games; “MindsBeneathUs,” a lateral dialogue narrative game by BearboneStudio that integrates popular AI topics; and “Roll Roll Hero,” a Rogue-lite card construction mobile game by Gamtropy, where players defeat dungeon enemies by forming slot machine combinations. These entries have received unanimous praise and recognition for their top-notch craftsmanship.
Additionally, the Taiwanese developer Futile Games, with the 3D side-scrolling puzzle game “mossasis,” explored the vast unknown world from the perspective of moss, securing a spot as a finalist in the Best Student Game category. The organizers emphasize their commitment to encouraging more outstanding talents from the younger generation to join the gaming industry, and they plan to expand the recruitment for this award category in the future.
TGS B2B ZONE Visitor Pre-registration Starts in December – Continuously Expanding Global Game Industry Cooperation
With global game exhibitions fully returning to physical events, TGS led over 10 Taiwanese indie game developers to participate in industry exchanges worldwide in 2023. This included events such as Japan’s BitSummit, the Philippine GameDev Expo (PGDX), South Korea’s iconic indie game expo, the BIC Festival, China’s ChinaJoy, Japan’s Tokyo Game Show, Melbourne International Games Week, Malaysia’s Level Up KL, Singapore’s gamescom asia, and South Korea’s G-STAR. The memoranda of understanding were signed, and the Taipei Game Show organizing committee continued to expand global cooperation in the gaming industry.
As the first exhibition that kicks off the year 2024, the TGS B2B ZONE opens pre-registration for business visitors starting from December 1st. Those who complete registration can not only enter the business area during the exhibition to interact with exhibitors but also schedule meetings or exchange business cards with game industry professionals from around the world through the business matchmaking system, offering industry professionals a strategic advantage.
Discover and support women-led studios and their games during this live-streamed showcase, spotlighting six developers! Get a sneak peek at in progress titles as devs play through their games with a streamer, and answer audience questions.
Head over to the official Steam sale page (goes live on Wednesday) to wishlist these and other women-led projects.
Join a diverse group of developers and influencers, as they spotlight six indie games created by queer devs and celebrate unique perspectives in the world of game development.
Stay tuned after the show to learn more about the steps being taken to incorporate diversity into the gaming space via a panel discussion on the importance of positive queer representation in games.
ThanksGaming Live: Celebrating Women-led Indies will stream live Saturday, Nov. 25 from 9 AM to 1 PM PST at https://www.twitch.tv/getwigi. For more information about the event, visit the info page on the IGDA website. For more information about Women in Games International, please visit their official website.
The Queer Indies Showcase will premiere Saturday, Nov. 25 from 5 PM to 9 PM at https://www.twitch.tv/igda. For more information about the show, visit its info page on the IGDA’s website. To learn more about Midboss and GaymerX, please visit their official websites.
It’s been a busy (and now turbulent) month for OpenAI.
The private research and deployment company hosted a developer day event in its headquarters city of San Francisco on November 6th. At this event, which spun up a lot of hype and fear, several announcements were made. The newsy bullet points from the event included a preview version of the more powerful GPT-4 Turbo, updated GPT-3.5 Turbo, and the release of the Assistants API, which OpenAI said will serve as a “first step towards helping developers build no-code agent-like experiences within their own applications” like chatbots and assistants, among other changes and updates.
But it turns out that set of news may not have been the most impactful from OpenAI DevDay. On Friday, November 17, the former CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, was ousted in what appears to be an internally-driven move to remove him; and CTO Mira Murati was named the interim CEO. Open AI President Greg Brockman left shortly thereafter, with perhaps more news and departures to come.
The story is still in development and more information is sure to fill in the missing details. But some pieces may already be falling into place, including the role Sam Altman at OpenAI Dev Day may have played.
In an Ars Technica story, “Sources told reporter Kara Swisher that OpenAI’s Dev Day event hosted November 6, with Sam (Altman) front and center in a keynote pushing consumer-like products was an “inflection moment of Altman pushing too far, too fast.”
Check out Sam Altman’s keynote presentation which comprises the majority of this approximately 45-minute video from OpenAI’s DevDay. What do you think is present in Altman’s keynote that might compromise OpenAI’s stated mission to build toward an artificial general intelligence model that is not provide-driven and is safe and beneficial to all humanity? Could it have been pushing the Assistants API and ChatGPT store experiences and other announcements toward launch before dealing with a known ChatGPT exploit? Could the company have been tilting too hard toward growing profitability and expanding too fast?
Feel free to comment your thoughts!
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Whether you are an event coordinator, press, or general attendee, if you have an event video to share with us, please let us know and we’ll be happy to feature it!
UPDATE (11/20/2023): In a fascinating update (and another tie to the games business), former Twitch CEO Emmett Shear was hired on as OpenAI’s new interim CEO after reinstatement efforts this weekend fell through. Meanwhile, Sam Altman, Greg Brockman and other key folks from OpenAI have been hired on by Microsoft, a key OpenAI investor, to help lead their AI efforts. (timeline, for those interested in this still-unfolding drama).
UPDATE (11/25/2023): In yet another turn, Sam Altman is on his way back to run OpenAI with a new board. Maybe the OpenAI boardroom coup drama is finally over. Updated the article title to reflect the fast-changing outcome.
We have reached an agreement in principle for Sam Altman to return to OpenAI as CEO with a new initial board of Bret Taylor (Chair), Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo.
We are collaborating to figure out the details. Thank you so much for your patience through this.
ATLANTA, GA — DreamHack, an international gaming lifestyle festival and ESL FACEIT Group brand, is giving back to the community in the weeks leading up toDreamHack Atlanta in December. Highlighted by the return of Dream BIG, the brand’s tentpole charity initiative, DreamHack will partner with Toys for Totsto level up toy donations with a concerted effort toward contributions for foster children throughout Metro Atlanta. As one of the largest campaigns in the nations, Atlanta Toys for Tots distributes toys to 18 different counties in Georgia. During the 2022 campaign, a total of 988,760 toys were collected and helped 494,380 children.
Additionally, the Festival is donating more than $530,000 in free tickets to Title I public school students and their families across Metro Atlanta to experience DreamHack in person. These initiatives and partnerships represent a continued effort by DreamHack and its parent company, ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), to give back to its longtime North American partner cities.
The gaming lifestyle festival will converge on Atlanta for the fifth time the weekend of December 15-17, 2023, at the Georgia World Congress Center.
“DreamHack festivals are more than a celebration of local gaming communities; they’re also a chance to give back,” said Guy Blomberg, Event Director DreamHack Festivals, Americas. “We want to channel the power of gaming for good, and the return of Dream BIG is sharing that with Atlanta, one of our most supportive host cities.”
CHARITY PARTNERSHIPS
DreamHack x Toys for Tots
To help families celebrate the holidays, DreamHack Atlanta will partner with Toys for Totsto level up toy donations this holiday season. In addition to traditional Toys for Tots drop-off locations, there will be DreamHack x Toys for Tots donation bins at the festival and at partnered businesses and organizations throughout Metro Atlanta. The Festival will also host local foster children alongside 175 Toys for Tots-affiliated Marines and their families for a special toy distribution.
Throughout the weekend, celebrity guests and content creators at DreamHack Atlanta will further support the campaign by encouraging guests to donate toys.
To become a Toy Drop Site, please see details HERE.
The current list of Toy Drop Site locations is HERE.
To volunteer at the toy sorting sites, please sign up HERE.
DreamHack x Title I Schools To Distribute Free Tickets to Students and Families
DreamHack will donate more than $530,000 in free tickets to Title I schools for students and their families. In total, that equals 3,000 free tickets to local students, which can be redeemed for three-day individual passes or family passes. Of those, 2,200 of the tickets are for Title I school students, including 400 tickets distributed in collaboration with Atlanta-based Next Gen. Next Gen creates an ecosystem of local colleges, companies and mentors that expose students to diverse career fields and builds the social capital necessary to succeed after graduation. The remaining 800 tickets will be distributed to high school and college students attending SIEGE, an Atlanta-based game development conference and college fair taking place on-site at DreamHack Atlanta. DreamHack Atlanta Charity Corner
DreamHack Atlanta will welcome several charitable organizations to the festival’s Charity Corner, where guests can learn more about resources and initiatives in the gaming community and beyond. Participating organizations include VGC USA, Two Write Love On Her Arms, AbleGamers, and more. The Charity Corner will also play host to three creator-run charity tournaments where streamers will go head-to-head to raise money and awareness for participating organizations. Festival attendees can also participate in giveaways throughout the weekend, or watch creators host fundraiser livestreams live from the festival floor.
