Category: 4. Technology

No, your eyes are not deceiving you. For a limited time, Amazon has the iPhone 16 Pro, unlocked and all, listing at a $255 discount. That brings the flagship iPhone down to around $745, from its retail price of $1,000.

Is there a catch? When you’re buying outside of the Apple store, there almost always is. Fortunately, this one’s a little easier to shoulder: the discounted model is in “renewed” condition, a refurbish standard placed by Amazon that indicates that while the phone isn’t new and sealed, it has been “professionally inspected, tested, and cleaned by qualified suppliers.”

According to Amazon’s listing page, renewed phones have no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at arm’s length, meaning you likely won’t be able to tell if the device is new or refurbished. Renewed phones are also tested to have at least 80% battery capacity, though most of the devices I’ve tried and used typically hover between 95 to 100%.

Also: The best Labor Day deals live now

This offer, in particular, is for the base model of the iPhone 16 Pro. You’re getting 128GB of internal storage, an unlocked carrier state, meaning the device will work with most, if not all, US carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon, and either Desert Titanium or Black Titanium. (Other colors are available at a discount, but for a lesser amount.)

Now you may be asking: Why should I buy the iPhone 16 Pro when Apple is preparing to launch the iPhone 17 series in a week’s time? I generally advise consumers to wait it out, if they can. Unless you desperately need a new phone right now, it’s always better to see what Apple is offering with its latest devices and how much the older models will be discounted by then.

Also: Buy the iPhone 16 or wait for iPhone 17? Here’s how I help friends and family decide

However, if your current phone is damaged, cracked, or unable to function properly at the moment, this is one of the better deals on one of the best iPhones right now, and you can purchase it knowing that it’s backed by Amazon’s 90-day return or replacement policy.

How I rated this deal 

The iPhone 16 Pro typically sells for $1,000, making this $255 discount a worthwhile deal for ZDNET readers. There are no carrier loopholes and private agreements that need to be made here; it’s an unlocked device that has a generous return window in case you’re not satisfied with the product. That all nets this a 3/5 rating, by ZDNET’s deal score standards.

When will this deal expire?

Deals are subject to sell out or expire anytime, though ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best product deals for you to score the best savings. Our team of experts regularly checks in on the deals we share to ensure they are still live and obtainable. We’re sorry if you’ve missed out on this deal, but don’t fret — we’re constantly finding new chances to save and sharing them with you at ZDNET.com. 

How do we rate deals at ZDNET?

We aim to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. ZDNET offers 33 years of experience, 30 hands-on product reviewers, and 10,000 square feet of lab space to ensure we bring you the best of tech. 

In 2025, we refined our approach to deals, developing a measurable system for sharing savings with readers like you. Our editor’s deal rating badges are affixed to most of our deal content, making it easy to interpret our expertise to help you make the best purchase decision.

At the core of this approach is a percentage-off-based system to classify savings offered on top-tech products, combined with a sliding-scale system based on our team members’ expertise and several factors like frequency, brand or product recognition, and more. The result? Hand-crafted deals chosen specifically for ZDNET readers like you, fully backed by our experts. 

Also: How we rate deals at ZDNET in 2025

Chris Kyme (pictured above) continues his ‘Postcard from Hong Kong’ series. Always being one for attending events with free-flow beer and sna…sorry, I mean..which offer interesting networking and creative discussion opportunities, I accepted a very generous invitation to attend a Marketing Society panel discussion on the state of creativity in Hong Kong today which was held at the offices of JLL (a very nice creative space, big chill out area etc).

The last time they held something on this topic I was actually one of the panelists and it was pretty healthy debate. This time I was invited as an audience member and also required to have masking tape placed over my mouth during the discussion.

The panelists were: Andreas Kasser – CEO, DDB Hong Kong (moderator), John Koay – Regional Creative Director Edelman, Jocelyn Tse – Independent Strategist, Ivy Cheung- CMO, Chubb Life Hong Kong.

Now first off I have to say I’m very appreciative of The Marketing Society for hosting and encouraging this creative discussion because someone needs to be doing it. More than that, it’s not just an audience of creative awards luvvies all navel gazing either. You’ve got clients mingling with creatives and media folks and it’s all good networking integration.

Secondly, the topic or rather the focus this time was ‘Do awards matter’? Now that’s not a bad question to be asking and the opinions as you can rightly imagine balanced between “No let’s just get on with business” to “Yes they’re great for morale and help promote loyalty (yeah right) and enthusiasm” kind of thing.

I know that if you put that question to the average gong-chasing trainer-wearing Asian creative such as yourself dear reader, the answer would be “Hell yeah”. But on the evening I was considering this, and unable to restrain myself any longer, I removed the masking tape that Andreas made me put over my mouth and reframed the question.

I don’t think the most pertinent question is about “Do awards matter”?

Who gives a monkeys, of course they do but they only really matter on the night when you go up on stage shining in glory or the next day when you can do all your “I am humbled” social media chest-thumping. After that, it’s back to the grindstone.

The real question is “Does creativity matter?”.

The obvious answer to which being yes, as proven year in year out by great campaigns which raise the bar, raise awareness and raise everyone’s salaries and delivers ROI. As Sir John Hegarty put it “ It (creative advertising) inspires and resonates with audiences, fostering long-term relationships rather than just “stalking” them with data-driven messages.”

So then I put it to the panel (and in particular to John who is no stranger to the awards circuit himself) “What does it take to improve it?”

I’m not talking about how to improve it in terms of entering awards, we all know that there are many who are quite good at doing that every year with their various social causes etc, and we have a few of those in Hong Kong funnily enough, but how to improve creativity in what gets exposed in the public arena. What we see around us every day, online or off.

Because let’s face it the biggest grumble around the world today in any given market is that it’s all rubbish.

There are exceptions of course because if you keep your eyes and ears open, good work gets out into the public domain here and there from very good agencies and then gets shared and lauded in social media (the irony) and we all wonder – “How did they sell it into the client?”

John Koay’s thoughts on that suggested that good client relationships were key, and I absolutely do not disagree with him speaking from personal experience.

But the truth is, this is not a question that can be answered in a short discussion panel and actually deserves a bigger and more in depth forum of exploration if the industry was serious about wanting to improve things.

Brain whirring etc

Not that I’m volunteering to lead that particular expedition (unless asked of course, and depending on the free flow beer and snacks) but it did get me pondering the issue further. Just hear me out.

One of the problems, I observe, with mainstream advertising (yes it does still exist) today is that mostly it doesn’t respect the intelligence of the target audience.

I saw an old interview clip from Adfest with Jeremy Craigen (he of much lauded DDB Volkswagen fame), when he spoke about “creative intelligence” and respecting the consumer.

Ads today are blatant creative hammers which bonk the general public on their collective heads and say ‘Yoo hoo…buy me buy me”.

This is partly reflective of the general levels of intelligence among the marketing people responsible for briefing and approving the ads. “If I don’t get it, how will the target audience?” That plus inexperience, fear, playing it safe, etc etc.

I also think there’s a big difference between what (good) creative people deem to be creative – the benchmarks etc, and what clients do.

And that needs addressing. Many people working in marketing just don’t know how good advertising can be.

On the other hand, ‘agency initiated’ campaigns, don’t have to worry about that.

All they have to consider is whether the awards judges will get it. Well practiced ndividuals who are going to look at it, ponder it, study it, consider it with a cup of tea or coffee in hand before marking it down as a winner (or not) with all the time in the world before lunch.

So, there is a huge divide between work that has to be approved by clients, and work which doesn’t have to bother because it’s designed for awards judges and nobody else will see it anyway.

And somewhere in between, is the sweet spot.

The sweet spot, to me, is work that is good enough to be considered for awards (ie a by-product of doing great work for your clients), but was actually created to meet a proper brief and all that this entails, and therefore, deemed acceptable by the client.

So if you think of anything you’ve seen and admired of late that actually ran (think of anything from Uncommon in London these days, or recently I saw that brilliant film for DiDi “Yes I DiDi” in Australia recently and thought how the f@% did they sell that in?), it all hits the sweet spot.

Uncommon – hitting the sweet spot again and again.

It meets the brief. It wins awards. Everyone’s happy.

Hitting the sweet spot means doing things for real. It means actually going to all the effort to think about how to convince your play-it-safe client that this will work for them.

That they should go for it. Invest their budget in it. And respect that the target audience is intelligent enough to get it.

Only then can creativity across all channels improve. Only then will clients become more aware of just how good advertising can be and how it can help deliver ROI.

Only then will the image of the industry improve in the eyes of the general public and more importantly bright young people looking to build a career. Who want to look up and aspire to something.

So that’s the question we should really have been attempting to answer. Now, how do we get there?

And what’s the answer is…

F%@k knows, I was heading straight for the nibbles.

Read Chris Kyme’s 2025 Postcard’s from Hong Kong below:

Welcome to Newviola
And the award goes to… some braver clients
A look inside the Beehive
A rocket that landed in Hong Kong
In search of Hong Kong (yet again)

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion’s Limited Edition is back in stock at Amazon and Walmart ahead of the mecha-action game’s September 5 launch on PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Titanic Scion’s Limited Edition had been sold out for most of the summer at all major retailers. The $100 edition is available for all three console platforms and comes with numerous collectibles for only $30 more than the price of the standard edition.

Developed and published by Marvelous, Titanic Scion’s Switch 2 physical edition includes the full game on the card, just like the other Switch 2 games the studio has made for Nintendo’s new console: Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, which was a Switch 2 launch game, and Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, which released last week. Titanic Scion’s listed eShop file size is 22.9GB, so opting for the physical edition lets you avoid using 10% of the Switch 2’s 256GB onboard storage on the new mecha-action title. Unlike Guardians of Azuma and Grand Bazaar, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion will not be available on original Switch hardware.

$70 | Releases September 5

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion’s standard physical edition is available to preorder for $70 on PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series X. The standard edition is in stock at Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and GameStop.

You’ll also find three different digital versions on Steam, the Xbox Store, the PlayStation Store, and the Switch eShop starting at $70. Digital preorders come with a few in-game items: Bahamut Arsenal Skin, Beguiling Suit, and Victorious Gleam Laser Sword.

$100 | Releases September 5

As mentioned, Titanic Scion’s Limited Edition had been sold out for most of the summer at all major retailers. Now, with less than a week remaining until launch, the $100 edition is back in stock for Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X at several retailers. the Limited Edition is available on all three console platforms at Amazon, and Walmart has it in stock for PS5 and Switch 2.

The Limited Edition is packaged in an oversized display box with alternate artwork. Inside the box, you’ll find a standard boxed copy of Titanic Scion for the console platform of your choice and numerous collectibles, including an art book, acrylic diorama, and the official soundtrack on CD. Here’s the full list of contents included with the Limited Edition:

• Physical game in standard case
• Oversized display box with unique art
• 3D Acrylic Diorama
• Full-color Art Book
• Original Soundtrack on CD
• 3 Flight Tag Keychains
• 3 Emblem Patches

That’s a lot of extra content for only $30, so it’s not surprising that the Limited Edition has been difficult to find in stock. Additionally, it’s worth keeping in mind that Guardians of Azuma’s Earth Dancer Limited Edition also dealt with stock shortages and is no longer carried by most retailers–Amazon does have the Earth Dancer Edition in stock at the moment, though.

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion takes place in a world where people born with unique abilities rebel against the rest of humanity. Eventually, they take control of an array of orbital defense satellites and rule the planet below with an iron fist. What follows is a series of intense mech battles as the warring factions fight for control of the world. You can customize your Arsenal (mech) and explore Titanic Scion’s open world solo or alongside up to two friends in the online cooperative mode.

Titanic Scion is the sequel to the 2019 game Daemon X Machina, which was exclusive to Nintendo Switch at launch. Marvelous ported the first game to PC in 2020, but Titanic Scion marks the franchise’s debut on PS5 and Xbox. GameSpot awarded the original 7/10 in our Daemon X Machina review for its engaging mech combat and surprisingly deep lore.

Returning players will have an advantage when it comes to lore and understanding some references, but Marvelous says the sequel was made for newcomers, too. The story takes place 300 years after the conclusion of the first game, so all of the characters and plot points will be new to all players.

That said, if you want to play the original, be prepared to pay more than you’d probably expect. The digital edition still sells for $60 on the Switch eShop, and the physical edition has been out of print for years. Walmart has Daemon X Machina on Switch for $66 via a reputable third-party seller, and PC players can get a Steam key for $42.49 (was $50) at Fanatical with promo code FANATICAL15.

Disclosure: GameSpot and Fanatical are both owned by Fandom.

Marvelous Inc.’s Nintendo Switch 2 Games: Full file on Game Card

Titanic Scion arrives just one week after Marvelous launched Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, the latest entry in the farming life sim series formerly known as Harvest Moon. Grand Bazaar also has two editions for Switch 2: a $60 standard edition and $80 Premium Edition. Guardians of Azuma, meanwhile, is on sale for $60 (was $70) at Amazon. The Earth Dancer Limited Edition only launched on Switch, but you can upgrade physical and digital versions of the new Rune Factory game to Switch 2 for $10 on the eShop.

As mentioned, all three of Marvelous’ Switch 2 games–Titanic Scion (22.9GB), Guardians of Azuma (18GB), Grand Bazaar (7.7GB)–include the full file on the game card. We included the digital edition file sizes in parentheses next to the game titles to roughly note how many gigabytes you’re saving versus buying digital editions.

Another notable third-party game that opted for the truly physical edition route is Cyberpunk 2077. And since the digital edition of CD Projekt Red’s impressive open-world adventure eats up 60GB, the physical edition is even more beneficial from a storage perspective.

Unfortunately, most third-party Switch 2 games available now and on the horizon utilize the Switch 2’s Game-Key Cards, which are license keys in cartridge format. Game-Key Cards grant you the ability to download the game from the eShop. Essentially, you’re buying a digital game, but the card must remain in the system to play it. To be fair, this allows you to sell the Game-Key Card, which you can’t do with eShop games, but the impact on storage space is the same whether you use a Game-Key Card or buy directly from the eShop.

Snail, Inc. Class A ((SNAL)) has held its Q2 earnings call. Read on for the main highlights of the call.

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In a recent earnings call, Snail, Inc. Class A presented a mixed sentiment, reflecting both promising advancements and financial hurdles. The company celebrated significant milestones, such as the launch of a pioneering stablecoin project and impressive engagement metrics for its ARK franchise. However, these achievements were tempered by financial setbacks, including a notable net loss and challenges with a game launch.

Stablecoin Project Announcement

Snail Inc. unveiled its proprietary stablecoin project, marking a pioneering step within the gaming industry. This initiative positions the company as a leader in adopting blockchain technology, with expectations of substantial long-term return on investment.

Significant Growth in Bookings and Units Sold

The company reported an 18.5% increase in bookings to $27.1 million and a 58.4% rise in units sold, reaching 2.1 million for the quarter. This growth was fueled by strong performance in June and the launch of new content.

ARK Franchise Engagement

The ARK franchise reached new heights with its highest peak concurrent users and daily active users on Steam in 2025. ARK Mobile also saw a 27.4% increase in first-time downloads and a 17.8% rise in daily active users.

New Game Releases and Expansions

Several new Indie titles were launched, with ARK: Lost Colony presale slightly exceeding internal projections, significantly contributing to the company’s bookings.

Annual Steam Publisher Sale Success

The annual Steam publisher sale event was a success, driving daily unit sales to 10.8 times the average during non-promotional periods in 2025. ARK: Survival Evolved experienced a 3.8 times increase in total units sold.

Net Loss Increase

Snail Inc. reported a net loss of $16.6 million for the quarter, a stark contrast to the net income of $2.3 million in the same period last year. This was primarily due to increased operational costs and a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets.

Decrease in EBITDA

The company experienced a decrease in EBITDA, reporting a negative $2.4 million compared to $3.1 million in the same period last year. This decline was driven by increased net loss and operational expenses.

Issues with Aquatica Launch

The launch of Aquatica faced significant issues, necessitating a rollback to a previous version. Ongoing updates are required to resolve these problems and ensure a smooth gaming experience.

Forward-Looking Guidance

Looking ahead, Snail Inc. emphasized a transformative period with the announcement of their stablecoin project, aligning with their business model to generate long-term ROI. Despite a modest revenue increase to $22.2 million, the company faces challenges with a net loss of $16.6 million due to increased operating expenses. The stablecoin initiative, backed by strategic partnerships, aims to leverage regulatory clarity and maintain transparency with shareholders.

In conclusion, Snail, Inc. Class A’s earnings call painted a picture of both innovation and financial challenges. While the company is making strides with its stablecoin project and ARK franchise engagement, it must navigate financial setbacks and operational hurdles. Investors will be keenly watching how these developments unfold in the coming quarters.

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Infosec In brief A flaw in Meta’s WhatsApp app “may have been exploited in a sophisticated attack against specific targeted users.”

Meta made that alarming admission last week in a security advisory that disclosed CVE-2025-55177, which it described as allowing “Incomplete authorization of linked device synchronization messages in WhatsApp [which] could have allowed an unrelated user to trigger processing of content from an arbitrary URL on a target’s device.”

The security team at Zuck’s messaging app also name-checked the zero-click vulnerability Apple patched last week – CVE-2025-43300 – because they feel their own CVE and Apple’s flaw “may have been exploited in a sophisticated attack against specific targeted users.”

Donncha Ó Cearbhaill, the head of Amnesty International’s security lab, suggested attackers used the flaws in a highly specialized attack, which from past experience suggests that a commercial surveillanceware vendor is using it in highly targeted attacks against specific individuals.

Surveillanceware is supposed to be used against state criminals but is also used against journalists, human rights campaigners, and anyone else certain governments don’t like.

It looks like that $1 million bounty for a zero-click WhatsApp flaw might be worth the price.

Microsoft calls time on lack of MFA for Azure

From October 1, Microsoft will begin requiring multi-factor authentication on Azure systems for everything but read-only access.

Redmond’s advisory states that “MFA enforcement will gradually begin for accounts that sign in to Azure CLI, Azure PowerShell, Azure mobile app, IaC tools, and REST API endpoints to perform any Create, Update, or Delete operation. Read operations won’t require MFA.”

There are special cases that could get a deadline extension, however. Those who can show they are having to deal with “complex environments or technical barriers” can get an extension until July 1 next year, Microsoft added.

Some customers may use a user account in Microsoft Entra ID as a service account. It’s recommended to migrate these user-based service accounts to secure cloud-based service accounts with workload identities.

But, frankly, MFA should be standard for Azure users anyway. It has proven to be – if not a silver bullet – highly effective at stopping hacking attacks.

Nissan confirms car design studio hit by Qilin ransomware

Japanese automaker Nissan has confirmed that its design subsidiary Creative Box Inc was hit by the infamous Qilin ransomware group.

“Currently, a detailed investigation is underway, and it has been confirmed that some design data has been leaked,” Nissan said in a statement. “Nissan and CBI will continue the investigation and take appropriate measures as needed.”

Qilin is a vicious ransomware gang linked to actual deaths, and known for offering criminals using its ransomware legal advice to assist with negotiations, an increasingly complex field.

Baltimore procurement mess sent $1.5 to crims

The city of Baltimore has admitted it has paid $1.5 million from much-needed city funds in a procurement scam.

The City’s Office of the Inspector General last week published a report [PDF] that last week explained a fraudster attacked a vendor that does business with the city government, accessed its Workday account and changed the financial institution listed for payments to its own account.

When Baltimore paid its bills, it therefore sent money to the account controlled by the fraudster. The city managed to retrieve almost half the funds, but its insurers have refused to pay out for the rest, showing the increasingly hard line financial institutions are taking over lax security policy.

Still, it could be worse. Nevada is still recovering from a state-wide ransomware attack that has left the Silver State crippled.

Critical flaw under exploitation in FreePBX telco software

If you’re using the open source FreePBX project to run your comms networks, you may want to prioritize a recently-issued emergency patch.

On August 21 persons unknown were spotted frolicking through the software using a flaw that allowed them to manipulate database information and perform remote code execution. The flaw, given the CVSS scoring system’s highest 10 ranking, has now been patched, but too late it seems for some customers.

“Users should upgrade to the latest supported versions of FreePBX (currently 15, 16, and 17) and confirm that the installed ‘endpoint’ module meets the minimum patched versions,” it warned.

“Systems not configured for automatic updates, or those wishing to manually update, can do so via the Administrator Control Panel menu Admin -> Module Admin or via generic command line method of updating all modules.”

Those running the code are warned to watch out for suspicious ampuser accounts in the code that are used in the hack. End-of-life versions of the code base are also vulnerable and there’s no patch for them, so it would be a good time to upgrade. And the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency agrees. ®

Welcome to Digital Trends’ weekly recap of the revolutionary technology powering, connecting, and now driving next-gen electric vehicles.

Rivian is giving iPhone owners something they’ve been begging for: Apple CarPlay. After years of resisting, the EV startup has activated support across its lineup, letting drivers plug in and get their Apple Maps, Messages, and Spotify right on the center screen. It’s a big deal—not just because CarPlay is convenient, but because Rivian had previously taken a Tesla-style stance of saying “no thanks” to outside platforms.

The move says a lot about how buyer expectations have shifted, and it highlights an interesting contrast with Tesla, which continues to resist CarPlay entirely. Let’s break it down.

Tesla parallel: Control vs. openness

When Rivian first launched the R1T and R1S, it copied Tesla’s playbook: build your own infotainment system and keep drivers inside your ecosystem. The thinking was clear: if you own the screen, you own the user experience—and maybe future revenue from navigation, streaming, or other services.

Tesla still lives by that rule. But Rivian has decided customer demand matters more than keeping a walled garden. By adding CarPlay, it’s signaling that it’s more flexible than its Silicon Valley rival. In short: Tesla is doubling down on control, Rivian is opening the door.

Buyer expectations have shifted

This decision didn’t happen in a vacuum. By 2023, over 90% of new cars globally supported CarPlay or Android Auto. McKinsey found that nearly half of car buyers won’t even consider a vehicle without them. J.D. Power surveys echo the same trend: smartphone integration is now a baseline feature, not a nice-to-have.

Rivian’s own system is slick, sure—but when almost every other car on the lot has CarPlay, skipping it felt like a miss. This update puts Rivian back in line with what buyers expect.

 From keys to dashboards: The iPhone’s role

There’s another layer here. Rivian already followed Tesla with a phone-as-key setup, letting you unlock and start your car with Bluetooth. But by embracing CarPlay (and maybe Apple CarKey in the future), Rivian is leaning even further into Apple’s ecosystem. The iPhone becomes not just your car key, but your dashboard too.

It’s an interesting hybrid approach. BMW was first with NFC and UWB keys and CarPlay. Tesla was first with BLE phone keys, but it refuses to touch CarPlay. Rivian is now mixing both: Tesla-style phone keys plus BMW-style openness. A clever middle path.

 Positioning against Tesla

Tesla owners have been grumbling for years about the lack of CarPlay and Android Auto. Rivian can now use that as a marketing angle: “We’re just as advanced as Tesla—but we’ll also give you the familiar tools you love.” For a company still building its brand, that’s a smart way to stand out.

️ Bottom line on CarPlay

Rivian’s CarPlay support matters because it:

• Breaks with Tesla’s anti-CarPlay stance.
• Recognizes that CarPlay/Android Auto are baseline expectations.
• Shows Rivian is more willing than Tesla to balance innovation with customer demand.

That blend of control and openness could prove to be one of Rivian’s sharpest differentiators.

While Rivian listens, Stellantis steps back from self-driving tech

Rivian’s willingness to adapt isn’t just about infotainment. The company has also been careful about how much self-driving technology it pushes. Earlier this summer, Rivian rolled out its “unmapped roads” feature for its second-generation platform, allowing hands-free driving on highways but deliberately avoiding the promise of full autonomy. It’s a cautious approach—giving drivers convenience without overhyping what the tech can deliver.

Now compare that to Stellantis. In a surprising twist, the global automaker behind Jeep, Ram, and Chrysler is reportedly shelving its self-driving tech altogether. The reason? Americans don’t want them. A recent survey from AAA showed deep skepticism about autonomous vehicles, with most consumers preferring driver-assist features over fully driverless experiences.

That’s a dramatic shift from just a few years ago, when every carmaker seemed to be racing toward autonomy. Tesla still touts “Full Self-Driving” as its moonshot, even if regulators and critics continue to push back. But Stellantis is reading the room: if customers aren’t asking for robotaxis, why sink billions into chasing them?

For Rivian, the takeaway is validation. Its strategy of offering measured, user-friendly driver-assist features looks smarter in light of Stellantis’s retreat. For Stellantis, the move may resonate with a customer base that values ruggedness, utility, and trust over high-tech bravado.

️ The bigger picture

Put Rivian and Stellantis side by side, and a theme emerges: the market is splitting around what drivers actually ask for. Rivian is leaning into familiar tech integration (CarPlay) while offering cautious steps on autonomy. Stellantis is taking an even harder line, deciding self-driving cars just aren’t worth chasing.

It’s a reminder that EVs aren’t just about range or charging anymore. The real battle now is over trust, convenience, and making sure the tech matches what buyers really want—not what Silicon Valley thinks they should want.

Legendary Blizzard co-founder Mike Morhaime, who helped create “World of Warcraft” and “Overwatch,” now faces a survival battle at Dreamhaven after “Wildgate” and “Sunderfolk” sold far fewer copies than expected, according to Bloomberg.

Wildgate and Sunderfolk Miss the Mark

Dreamhaven launched its multiplayer shooter, “Wildgate,” in July, but sales reached only 130,000 units, despite positive reviews, Bloomberg reported. The company’s earlier release, “Sunderfolk,” fared even worse, selling just 62,000 copies since April, according to the report.

In a letter to staff, Morhaime admitted Dreamhaven’s “monthly expenses are outpacing revenue,” stressing the need to “urgently reduce costs” while insisting “we are committed to Dreamhaven surviving through this.”

Don’t Miss:

To attract players, Morhaime slashed the price of “Wildgate” by one-third, cutting it to $20 on Steam. He told Bloomberg that “making commercially successful games has always been challenging” and that studios must “adapt to the environment and continue listening to our communities and their feedback.”

“Forever Games” Dominate While Startups Struggle

New studios like Dreamhaven face big competition from entrenched “forever games” such as “Fortnite,” “League of Legends,” “Counter-Strike 2,” and “DoTA 2.” These titles refresh constantly with new content, keeping players engaged while locking them into ecosystems filled with digital items, Bloomberg reported.

Frost Giant Studios, also founded by Blizzard veterans, is another example of a troubled company in the industry. Its real-time strategy title “Stormgate” has struggled to gain traction. Frost Giant Studios CEO Tim Morten said in a LinkedIn post that the game was not reaching expected traffic or sales. The company disclosed in an annual report filed in April  with the Securities and Exchange Commission that revenue from early access sales was not enough to cover operating expenses, with losses of $11.7 million on just $1.4 million in sales.

“The games business has always been inherently hit-driven, but as existing games continue to draw players, competition from other digital media like TikTok has increased.” Morten told Bloomberg. “Record numbers of new games are being launched, so the challenge is harder than ever.”

Trending: An EA Co-Founder Shapes This VC Backed Marketplace—Now You Can Invest in Gaming’s Next Big Platform

Venture Capital Retreats After Pandemic Boom

During the pandemic, gaming investment surged as people turned to digital entertainment. Venture deals jumped to 1,683 in 2021, totaling $13.7 billion, according to PitchBook data.

Since then, momentum has cooled. By Aug. 21, there had been only 396 deals, half the 2021 level. Bloomberg reported that PitchBook analyst Eric Bellomo cited the lack of breakout hits and a saturated market as reasons for the sharp decline.

One major studio under pressure is Fantastic Pixel Castle, founded by former Riot Games executive Greg Street. Sources said that the company is at risk of losing funding from NetEase NTES, according to Bloomberg. The game, code-named “Ghost,” was initially backed with more than $100 million, but NetEase has been cutting costs as CEO William Ding becomes more cautious about gaming investment.

NetEase told Bloomberg that it remains committed to offering a broad range of titles and regularly reviews game progress to make business decisions. A spokesperson disputed the reported budget size.

See Also: Kevin O’Leary Says Real Estate’s Been a Smart Bet for 200 Years — This Platform Lets Anyone Tap Into It

A Legendary Career Meets a New Challenge

Morhaime co-founded Blizzard in 1991 and was instrumental in shaping titles including “World of Warcraft,” “Diablo,” and “Overwatch.” Microsoft MSFT acquired Activision Blizzard for $69 billion in 2023, the largest gaming merger ever.

He left years earlier, founding Dreamhaven in 2020, Bloomberg reported. The company now faces the challenge of cutting costs and adapting strategy in a saturated market that has already pushed other well-funded startups to the brink, according to the report.

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Lost in the shuffle of injuries with the first team and the excitement for the young players who are on Bayern Munich’s roster, midfielder Javi Fernández has been out since February 12th with a meniscus injury.

Slowly, but surely, Fernández is making progress per Sky Germany’s Kerry Hau:

After two serious injuries last season to his ankle and meniscus, things are looking up for Bayern talent Javi Fernández. The 18-year-old Spanish midfielder can once again perform many exercises with the ball. If everything goes according to plan, a comeback in October is realistic.

At this point last season, Fernández was considered one of the top prospects on campus. Now, we will have to build back up into that status, but it does appear as if things are starting to look up for the Spaniard.

Bayern Munich got off to a red-hot start this season and we are thrilled with the early returns. With the end of the transfer window coming up, there is still much to discuss, so let’s not waste any more time. This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship Show:

Also, be sure to stay tuned to Bavarian Podcast Works for all of your up to date coverage on Bayern Munich and Germany. Check us out on Patreon and follow us on Twitter @BavarianFBWorks, @BavarianPodcast, @TheBarrelBlog, @rayyantwt, @2012nonexistent, @TommyAdams71 and more.

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