#79 Amazons’ New Game Streaming Service

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Taking a short break today from the Consumer Electronics Show to cover some other big tech happenings, including Bungie splitting with Activision on Destiny and Epic Games being rated by the BBB!

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Destiny 3 Coming In 2020, Analyst Predicts Amid Bungie/Activision Breakup

One of the biggest gaming news stories so far in 2019 broke today when Activision and Bungie confirmed they are ending their publishing deal for Destiny. Going forward, Bungie will take on development and publishing duties for Destiny, while Activision will focus on its own franchises, like Call of Duty. Research firm Cowen & Company shared its thoughts on the news in a note to investors today, and one prediction the company made was that Bungie will release Destiny 3 in 2020. This is not an altogether surprising revelation, as the Destiny series normally releases new mainline entries every three years.

Spotify on the importance of podcasts, personalization and partnerships

AI plays a huge role in how Spotify delivers personalized playlists to users, so it’s somewhat fitting that the company’s new partnership with Microsoft is focused on messages about how AI can impact all aspects of life — including education, healthcare and philanthropy. Those messages are going to be showing up in the Discover Weekly playlist for free users, the first time that Spotify has lets brands have full customization and control over advertising in that feed.

Fortnite maker Epic Games earns ‘F’ rating from Better Business Bureau

The creator of the wildly popular video game Fortnite has been given an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau after failing to address hundreds of complaints from concerned customers. The BBB said that over the past year, it has received more than 270 complaints about Epic Games, which has made a fortune from Fortnite and other popular video games. Most of the complaints regard customer service issues and problems with refunds and exchanges — and most of them were never addressed by the Cary, N.C.-based company, the BBB said in a statement.

Amazon Developing New Game Streaming Service to Compete with Microsoft and Google

Not to be outdone by its FAANG and other technology rivals, it appears Amazon has been secretly developing a game streaming service. It looks set to compete with Microsoft and Google with instant video games housed on powerful servers. Cloud-based gaming, which will negate the need for downloads or game cards, could be one of the next major advances for the gaming industry.