Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

<br /><ul><li>PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) issued a statement promising a ‘healthy’ gaming experience for their users. </li><li>The mobile game has been accused of distracting students from their studies and promoting violent behavior.</li><li>The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had earlier advised all Indian states to ban the game. </li></ul>Requests have been <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/an-indian-engineering-college-has-banned-pubg-under-the-claim-that-its-spoiling-the-atmosphere-of-the-hostel-but-leaves-women-out-of-the-conversation/articleshow/67087477.cms">coming in</a> from different parts of India to block the massively popular PlayerUnknown’s BattleGrounds (PUBG). The free-to-play mobile game has <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/pubg-lite-mobile-game-in-india-gets-a-rap-from-narendra-modi-in-pariksha-pe-charcha-live/articleshow/67736283.cms">allegedly</a> been derailing children from studying and promoting violent outbursts.<br /><br />But the Tencent game is trying to hold its ground by promising a ‘healthy gaming experience’.<br /><br />
  
  <div type="ExtQuote" text="“We appreciate the support and trust given to us by our PUBG MOBILE players. While we strive to deliver the best possible gaming experience to our fans, we also believe that it is extremely important for us to be a responsible member of the gaming ecosystem. To this end, we constantly work and shall continue to work with different stakeholders, including parents, educators and government bodies, and listening to their feedback on what we can do to enhance the overall PUBG MOBILE experience.”" auname="Statement by PUBG Mobile"></div>





<br /><strong>Clamour for a wider ban<br /></strong><br />In the one year that PUBG has been in the India, Indian users have spent over $19.65 million on in-game purchases, according to a KPMG report. <br /><br />But, its popularity hasn’t been without consequences. <br /><br />As recently as February, the IT Minister of Goa called the game ‘demonic’ asking for laws to restrict its use in the southern state. Even in Kashmir, the Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) appealed to parents and teachers to keep kids away from PUBG after students didn’t perform well in their 10th and 12th board exams. <br /><br />The Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) in Tamil Nadu has already banned the game in the boy’s hostel because it was ‘spoiling’ the entire atmosphere. Students reacted on Twitter stating that the ban was creating ‘inhumane college conditions’.<br /><br />
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="paulmathai01" handlename="Paul Mathai" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/995138528903221248/GKVEgEdT_normal.jpg" favoritecount="19" retweetcount="4" status="Apparently VIT Vellore bans PUBG in hostels claiming impact on grades. This is called true dictatorship.😡😡 @PUBG… https://t.co/VNM4yDe3Op" createdat="1544286223000" id="1071440193993895937"></div>





<br />
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="TuhinKalia" handlename="TJ Baba" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/736805152481378305/rdT8yv_8_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1" retweetcount="0" status="Inhumane college conditions: 1.) Ragging 2.) Eve-teasing 3.) Banning @PUBGMOBILE on hostel wi-fi  #VIT #vellore… https://t.co/V3eLWRw41P" createdat="1544788804000" id="1073548171706552320"></div>





<br />And while it was rumoured that PUBG was banned in Maharashtra, Gujarat is the only state in India to have officially banned the game in primary schools. But a nationwide is speculated to be imminent with the the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) issuing a notice to all states of India suggesting that they ban the game — how that ban will successfully be implemented is still unknown. <br /><br /><strong>See also:</strong><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/an-indian-engineering-college-has-banned-pubg-under-the-claim-that-its-spoiling-the-atmosphere-of-the-hostel-but-leaves-women-out-of-the-conversation/articleshow/67087477.cms" style="">An Indian engineering college has banned PUBG under the claim that its ‘spoiling the atmosphere of the hostel’ — but leaves women out of the conversation</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/pubg-lite-mobile-game-in-india-gets-a-rap-from-narendra-modi-in-pariksha-pe-charcha-live/articleshow/67736283.cms" style="">India’s prime minister has an advice for PUBG addicts</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/miscellaneous/7-reasons-you-should-play-playerunknowns-battlegrounds-or-pubg-instead-of-fortnite/slidelist/63916379.cms" style="">7 reasons you should play PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, or 'PUBG,' instead of Fortnite</a><br />

Faced with ban threats, PUBG is trying to placate Indian parents and the government

<br /><ul><li>Virtual Reality tools enhance gaming experience and that is seen as a risk in the case of PUBG.</li><li>The latest warning has come from a report released by the World Economic Forum (WEF).</li><li>VR may amplify the alleged ill-effects of a game, warns the WEF report.</li></ul><br />Virtual reality (VR) tools enhance gaming experience, may be take one closer to reality. That may be a great feature in certain games, but what will it do to the PUBG experience? A report from the World Economic Forum has a warning.<br /><br />There is a possibility that VR could possibly be an ‘engine for empathy’ to counter the current situation where online gaming is negatively correlated with empathy, the WEF Global Risks Report 2019 said. <br /><br />However, the WEF report also speculates that there’s a possibility that VR may also amplify the negative effects of a game.<br /><br />In PUBG’s case, gamers would actually be able to feel that they’re behind the gun, killing off players one by one until they’re the only survivor. <br /><br />Jeremy Bailenson, the author of ‘Experience On Demand: What Virtual Reality Is, How It Works, and What It Can Do’ <a href="https://www.wired.co.uk/article/empathy-virtual-reality-jeremy-bailenson-stanford">states</a> that there is no medium that can ‘magically produce empathy’ — content that will move the body, will also move the mind. <br /><br />Virtual reality (VR) as a gaming platform has been around for a while but modern VR headsets only arrived three years ago.<br /><br /><strong>The Challenge for PUBG<br /></strong><br />China has already banned the massively popular PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) free-to-play mobile game for having too much ‘blood and gore’. <br /><br />And, India seems to be next in line to ban the game with officials from different states claiming that its adversely impacting the lives of students and hindering their education. <br /><br />On Tuesday the PUBG Mobile gaming platform <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/pubg-ban-india-healthy-gaming-experience-proposed/articleshow/68058605.cms">issued a statement</a> promising to provide a more ‘healthy’ gaming experience for its users. <br /><br />The company said, “To foster a healthy and balanced in-game environment, we are developing numerous new features and enhancements which enables us to provide an environment for players to enjoy PUBG Mobile in a rewarding and responsible manner.”<br /><br /><br /><strong>See also:<br /></strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/pubg-ban-india-healthy-gaming-experience-proposed/articleshow/68058605.cms">Faced with ban threats, PUBG is trying to placate Indian parents and the government</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/an-indian-engineering-college-has-banned-pubg-under-the-claim-that-its-spoiling-the-atmosphere-of-the-hostel-but-leaves-women-out-of-the-conversation/articleshow/67087477.cms">An Indian engineering college has banned PUBG under the claim that its ‘spoiling the atmosphere of the hostel’ — but leaves women out of the conversation</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-creator-of-playerunknowns-battlegrounds-has-reportedly-dropped-its-lawsuit-against-the-wildly-popular-fortnite/articleshow/64763817.cms">The creator of 'PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds' has reportedly dropped its lawsuit against the wildly popular 'Fortnite'</a><br />

Here’s why VR headsets may not be an option for PUBG fans

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Screenshot / Business Insider</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>"Fortnite: Battle Royale" is the hottest video game in the world right now, and it's easy to understand why.</p><p>Celebrities are <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3WgtJ4v6ps">playing it</a>, teenagers are using it to get <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2018/04/17/teens-using-fortnite-ask-out-prom-dates/524625002/">prom dates</a>, and colleges have started <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/a-us-university-is-offering-scholarships-to-top-fortnite-players-2018-4">giving scholarships</a> to the best players. More than that, Fortnite has become the entry point to video games for many young players, and even <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/fortnite-battle-royale-why-i-love-it-even-though-im-not-a-gamer-2018-3">self-identified non-gamers</a>, making it feel akin to nostalgic, widely recognizable games like Pac-Man or Super Mario Bros.</p><p>But while Fortnite may seem to be in a league of it's own, it's actually one of many games in the emerging "battle royale" genre, which pits online players against each other in a kill-or-be-killed competition, similar to the "Hunger Games."</p><p>"Player Unknown's Battlegrounds," or "PUBG," was the most-watched battle-royale game on Twitch before Fortnite exploded in popularity, and is largely considered to be the grungier, more mature alternative.</p><p>An unspoken rivalry between the two games has effectively split the battle-royale audience, and inspired many heated debates along the way.</p><p><strong>So for those who think they might be ready to outgrow Fortnite, here are the reasons that I prefer PUBG:</strong></p>

7 reasons you should play PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, or 'PUBG,' instead of Fortnite

<ul><li>After clocking 100 million players, BGMI disappears from Google and Apple app stores.</li><li>Reportedly, the action came right after the Indian government order.</li><li>Currently, BGMI is working fine for existing users.</li></ul>Popular battle royal game Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) has been delisted from Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store in India. According to a TechCrunch <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/28/google-bgmi-pubg-india-play-store/">report</a>, the app was delisted by Google from both platforms in India on Thursday evening. A Krafton spokesperson confirmed the delisting and said the company is seeking clarification.<br />According to a Reuters<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/india/google-blocks-kraftons-battle-royale-game-india-after-govt-order-2022-07-28/"> report</a>, the Indian government invoked a section 69A of its IT law to impose restrictions on BGMI. This section allows the Indian government to block public access to content that concerns national security.<br />Swadeshi Jagran Manch, a political and cultural organisation and Prahar, a non-government organisation repeatedly asked the Indian government to investigate China's influence on BGMI. Also, the president of Prahar, Abhay Mishra said, Swadeshi Jagran Manch is the wing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh - an influential Hindu nationalist group which is close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said Reuters.<br />To recall, BGMI is Player Unknown Battleground Mobile’s (<keyword id="4998506" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="PUBG" source="Orion">PUBG</keyword> Mobile) tweaker version for India after it was banned alongside 177 Chinese apps by the Indian Government, citing national security issues. The statement said, “it is engaged in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, security of the state and public order.”<br />The gameplay and graphics of BGMI are very similar to that of PUBG Mobile; however, it is said to run on different servers. Krafton had said it had cut ties with its publishing partner Tencent and announced <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2020/11/12/pubg-mobile-announces-return-to-india-new-game-100-million-investment/">$100 million investment</a> to boost the Indian gaming ecosystem. In March 2021, PUBG's South Korean parent <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/pubgs-south-korean-parent-invests-22-4-million-in-indian-esports-company-nodwin-gaming/articleshow/81406245.cms">invested $22.4 million</a> in Indian esports company Nodwin Gaming. It was following its pledge to invest in India.<br />Earlier this month company said that BGMI had clocked over 100 million players in India.<br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Will BGMI be playable for existing users?" comment="subhead" text="Will BGMI be playable for existing users?"><span data-til="noop">Will BGMI be playable for existing users?</span></cmsannotation><br />Players who have already installed BGMI on their devices will still be able to play the game as all its features are working both on Android and Apple devices. Also, I tried playing it on my iPhone/ Android phone and it's working normally.<br /><br /><strong>SEE ALSO:<br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/see-the-huge-3d-printer-that-built-the-walls-of-a-400-square-foot-concrete-tiny-home-in-22-hours/slidelist/93190127.cms">See the huge 3D-printer that built the walls of a 400-square-foot concrete tiny home in 22 hours</a>=<br /></strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/mark-zuckerbergs-metaverse-dreams-take-a-hit-after-the-ftc-sues-to-stop-meta-buying-a-vr-fitness-app/articleshow/93186367.cms"><strong>Mark Zuckerberg's metaverse dreams take a hit after the FTC sues to stop Meta buying a VR fitness app</strong></a><br />

BGMI delisted from Play Store and App Store after government order citing data sharing and mining in China: Report

<ul class="summary-list"><li>On June 29 <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> banned 59 Chinese <keyword id="6354741" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Apps">apps</keyword> including video app <keyword id="6762469" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="TikTok">TikTok</keyword>, which is wildly popular in India.</li><li>On Monday, the Indian government banned a further 47 apps which were clones that allowed people access to the previously banned apps.</li><li>It also published a list of 275 more apps it's considering banning.</li></ul><p>Last month India banned 59 Chinese apps including the wildly popular TikTok, citing a need for "data sovereignty."</p><p>Now the country has booted a further 47, and is reviewing 275 more for potential bans.</p><p>The 47 apps which have been freshly banned were primarily clones or variants of services like TikTok per <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pubg-alibaba-xiaomi-to-be-banned-india-prepares-list-of-over-250-chinese-apps-1704814-2020-07-27">India Today</a>. One of the banned apps was called "TikTok Lite."</p><p>Punit Agarwal, head of the Delhi BJP's IT and social media cell, confirmed the news on Twitter, writing: "Govt of India bans 47 more Chinese apps which were variants and cloned copies of the 59 apps that were banned in June. These banned clones include Tiktok Lite, Helo Lite, SHAREit Lite, BIGO LIVE Lite and VFY Lite. Over 250 more apps under radar including PubG. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DigitalStrike?src=hashtag_click">#DigitalStrike</a>."</p><p>Before it was <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-banned-tiktok-china-apps-tensions-2020-7?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T">banned on June 29</a>, TikTok had an enormous audience in India. In April the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-app-2-billion-downloads-record-setting-q1-sensor-tower-2020-4">app surpassed 2 billion downloads worldwide</a>, of which 611 million came from India and accounting for 30% of TikTok's total global audience.</p><p>Indian TikTok users seem to be feeling the app's absence keenly.</p><p>Data from analytics site <a href="https://sensortower.com/blog/tiktok-alternatives-growth-india">Sensor Tower</a> shows since TikTok was banned download rates for the three next most popular video sharing apps have shot up 155%.</p><p><a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/after-ban-on-59-chinese-apps-275-more-on-radar/articleshow/77188360.cms?from=mdr">The Economic Times</a> reports the Indian government is reviewing a further 275 apps, including popular battle royale video game "Player Unknown's Battlegrounds" (PUBG) which is owned by Chinese gaming giant Tencent. Also included on the list is Resso, a music streaming app owned by TikTok's parent company ByteDance.</p><p>The initial <keyword id="6354651" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="ban">ban</keyword> on Chinese apps came into force after a flare-up in geopolitical tensions between India and <keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="China">China</keyword> following a skirmish in the disputed territory of Ladakh in northern India.</p><p>India isn't the only country that clamping down on Chinese apps. Pakistan last week issued a final warning to TikTok, citing complaints about "immoral content." Earlier this month Pakistan also placed a temporary ban on PUBG, saying it had also received complaints that the game was "addictive, [a] wastage of time and poses serious negative impact on physical and psychological health of the children."</p><p>The Trump administration has also made noises about a potential TikTok ban. Secretary of State <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pompeo-says-us-certainly-considering-banning-tiktok-fox-news-2020-7">Mike Pompeo said on July 7 the US is "certainly" considering banning TikTok</a> over privacy and national security concerns. A day later President Trump said he was thinking about banning TikTok as <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-considering-banning-tiktok-2020-7">a means of punishing China for outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic</a>.</p>

India has banned 47 more Chinese apps including a TikTok clone and is eyeing hundreds more

<ul><li>Although <keyword id="2440542" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="eSports">esports</keyword> is still at a nascent stage, it is already showing remarkable potential for growth especially as the most convenient leisure option during this <keyword id="91743" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="lockdown">lockdown</keyword>, writes Mazhar Nadiadwala, Managing Director, Dome Entertainment. </li><li>He further shares why the demand for esports will grow in this lockdown. </li></ul>With the outbreak of the novel <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">Coronavirus</keyword>, the world has come to a standstill. Industries across the globe have witnessed crippling effects across sectors. India is no different. With the lockdown imposed by the Government, most of the companies have either resorted to work from home or other extreme measures for survival. However, right now even if the situation gets tough, staying indoors is the need of the hour to combat this deadly virus.<br /><br />While we have seen downfalls, there has also been a surge in certain sectors like virtual events, OTT consumption, music streaming platforms and eSports. With outdoor sports out of question, eSports (or electronic sports) has seen a tremendous demand mainly amongst the millennial audiences. From requiring specialised equipment and gear, gaming today has become more accessible, with the popularity of mobile games like Player Unknown’s Battleground (PUBG), Fortnite, World of Tanks, and Clash of Clans, among others. Consumers can get to play their favourite games without having to step out of their homes, thus adhering to the hard and fast rule of social distancing and quarantine.<br /><br />In India, although eSports is still at a nascent stage, it is already showing remarkable potential for growth especially as the most convenient leisure option during this lockdown. Though the biggest consumer in the online gaming industry is China with a market share of 32.86%, currently India stands at a global rank of 17. An approximate 600 million people in the country are expected to become active gamers by 2020, with the industry’s value reaching as high as USD 1.5 billion in 2019 from a value of USD 253.6 million in 2014. The current scenario has also catapulted demand for this segment leading to the birth and development of many eSports brands launching interactive tournaments and matches to keep their audience engaged. <br /><br />I believe that the sector is at an all-time high in India and will continue to only grow its position even post this pandemic. This is mainly because it helps you connect or bond with your friends and family from the comfort of your home. With restrictions on outdoor movement, eSports is enabling users to break from the mundane, try a gamut of sports in the virtual space, is cost effective and allows you the flexibility to play at your own desired time from the comfort of your homes while helping you interact with your friends even during the pandemic.<br /><br />Considering these trying times and in their effort to keep the consumers indoors, it is commendable how these eSports brands are innovating on-the-go and are doing their bit to keep millenials stimulated and entertained. Maintaining mental wellness during these times is as critical as physical wellness and eSports has a lion’s share in contributing to the same, by ensuring that consumers are engaged at all times.<br /><br /><strong>- Mazhar Nadiadwala, Managing Director, Dome Entertainment</strong><br />

The rising popularity of eSports during the Quarantine period

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Kaylee Fagan</span></p><p class="caption">Brenden "PLAYER UNKNOWN" Greene gives a talk about his journey as a video game developer at the Game DEvelopment Conference in San Francisco on Friday, March 23.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul><li><strong>Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene, the original developer of "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds," says that he doesn't see the game as competitive with "Fortnite: Battle Royale." </strong></li><li><strong>"Fornite: Battle Royale" came out several months after "PUBG," and has a very similar concept and gameplay.  </strong></li><li><strong>Greene did not provide an update on when "PUBG" will be available for Sony PlayStation 4.</strong></li></ul><p>Last year, "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" became a surprise phenomenon, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/playerunknowns-battlegrounds-sales-pubg-player-stats-2017-10">selling $400 million worth of copies</a> in a few short months. But then, last September, "Fortnite" came out with its own, similar, free-to-play "Battle Royale" mode - and became a smash hit in its own right, challenging the dominance of "PUBG."</p><p>But at a talk at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco this week, Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene, the game's original creator, says he's more flattered  by the success of "Fortnite: Battle Royale" than anything.</p><p>"I've tried to combat the perception that we're competitive with other 'Battle Royale' games," said Greene. "Its great that the space is expanding. We're happy that more and more people are getting to play games," he continued.</p><p>After the session, Greene reinforced the notion in an interview Business Insider after his presentation, saying, "I don't see us as competing. We are focusing on our game, not anyone else's." </p><p>It's a slight change of tune from September 2017, when "PUBG" developer <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/playerunknowns-battlegrounds-fortnite-bluehole-epic-games-2017-10">Bluehole said that was "concerned"</a> about the similarites between the game and the then-new "Fortnite: Battle Royale." At the time, "Fortnite" developer Epic Games acknowledged that "PUBG" was a direct inspiration for the new game mode, but it wasn't enough to fend off critisism from fans of Greene's game.</p><p>The "battle royale" game style first popularized by Greene's PUBG, drops a hundred players onto an island where they must fight to stay alive, until there's one player left standing, similar to "The Hunger Games."</p><p>So-called "Battle Royale" games have been exploding with popularity in the last year. "PUBG" was the most-played PC game on Steam last year, while "Fortnite: Battle Royale" recently set a Twitch viewership record with as many <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/drake-plays-fortnite-on-twitch-with-ninja-video-2018-3">as 600,000 people tuning in at once to watch musician Drake play with streaming superstar Ninja</a>. </p><p>"PUBG" is available for PC and Xbox One, and also just launched for Apple iOS this month. While Greene has said that the game will eventually come to Sony PlayStation 4, he declined to give Business Insider an update on when it will be available.</p><p>For its part, "Fortnite: Battle Royale" is available for PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and it's currently in a closed testing period for iOS. </p><p> </p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/battlegrounds-call-of-duty-playerunknown-pc-gaming-steam-2017-5">Everything you need to know about 'Battlegrounds' - an unfinished game that's already made $60 million</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

The creator of the greatest game of 2017 says that he's not mad that 'Fortnite' took its best ideas

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>"Fortnite" developer Epic Games is suing a pair of YouTubers for promoting hacks and trolling in the game and selling cheat software.</strong></li><li><strong>The lawsuit, filed in a North Carolina district court, claims that cheat software damages the experience of "Fortnite" players, and harms the game's community as a result.</strong></li><li><strong>Epic Games is seeking damages from the two defendants and has asked the court to compel the pair to stop infringing on "Fortnite's" copyright and user agreements.</strong></li></ul><p>Epic Games has filed a lawsuit against two YouTubers for promoting the use of "Fortnite: Battle Royale" hacks on YouTube and selling cheating software on a private website. A copy of the <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/images/epic-golden.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">claim obtained by TorrentFreak</a>&#xa0;identifies Brandon Lucas of the YouTube channel "Golden Modz" and Colton Contor of the "Exentric" channel in the suit filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina on October 10th.</p><p>The Golden Modz and Exentric YouTube channels specialize in videos showcasing cheat software in several popular games, including "Fortnite," "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds," "Grand Theft Auto V" and "Call of Duty." The software lets players do things that would otherwise be impossible in the game, like see enemies through walls or aim their shots automatically. Both channels showed the cheats in use against other players and contained links to purchase the software from third party websites in their video descriptions.</p><p>In their claim, Epic specifies nine videos published by the defendants that promote hacks for "Fortnite." These videos have already been flagged on YouTube for copyright infringement and are no longer available, though plenty of others that mention the use of cheats in different games are still available on both channels.</p><p>To quote Epic's claim, "Nobody likes a cheater. And nobody likes playing with cheaters."</p><p>Epic argues that the existence and sale of such software is both a violation of "Fortnite's" terms of use and an infringement of the game's copyrights. The game's EULA and terms of service specifically forbid players from creating, developing or distributing "any unauthorized software programs to gain advantage in any online or other game modes" and behaving "in a manner which is detrimental to the enjoyment of the software by other users as intended by Epic."&#xa0;&#xa0;</p><h2>Cheating will be a big problem if the games launch esports competitions</h2><p>Epic claims that the sort of trolling promoted by these YouTube channels and the cheating software is detrimental to the experience of the average player and hurts the "Fortnite" community as a result. According to Epic, both Contor and Lucas have been banned from "Fortnite" in the past but continued to create new accounts for the free game using fake names.</p><p>Cheating has been especially rampant in Battle Royale games like "Fortnite" and "Player Unknown's Battlegrounds." The latter game banned 572,778 players during the month of September, which is down from a monthly peak of 1.6 million in April 2018. With both games exploring esports opportunities, keeping online play fair and legitimate is essential for keeping players invested in competition.</p><p>"The most visible harm from [the] defendants' acts and the use of the cheats they promote and sell to others may occur in a virtual world, but it is felt in the real one," Epic's claim reads. "[The] defendants' cheating and enabling others to cheat detract from the pleasure "Fortnite's" players and audience take from the game."</p><p>Lucas, who uses the Golden Modz handle on YouTube and Twitter, has denied using his channel as a vehicle to sell cheat software, despite his videos sharing links to GoldenGodz.com and GTAGodz.com, a pair of sites dedicated to selling such software. The sites no longer show cheat packages for sale but archived versions show subscription and lifetime rates for "Fortnite" cheat software, selling for $54.99 and $299.99, respectively. Both sites also offer to purchase player accounts, which is also prohibited by "Fortnite's" terms of service. Epic's claim suggest that Lucas has a stake in both sites, but <a href="https://twitter.com/Golden_Modz/status/1052304428626259969" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he has denied ownership</a>. In his own defense, Lucas claims that other prominent YouTubers share unreleased content and unlicensed mods for the game without being targeted.</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><p>According to the claim, Epic is seeking unspecified damages from Lucas and Contor and has asked the court to force both defendants to delete all of videos that infringe on "Fortnite's" copyrights and violate the game's terms of use. The claim acknowledges that the financial damage done to the "Fortnite" brand is not exactly quantifiable, but Epic wants the pair to deliver any profits earned from their cheating.</p><p>At the very least the case should stand as a warning to future "Fortnite" hackers; cheaters never prosper.</p><div></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/game-of-thrones-star-maisie-williams-ambition-for-daisie-2018-9">'Game of Thrones' star Maisie Williams has left Arya Stark behind to help fight nepotism in the arts industries</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

The maker of 'Fortnite' is suing two YouTubers for trolling with cheats and sharing hacks

<br />Player Unknowns Battlegrounds, PUBG, is a popular videogame that has children addicted across the world. However, the violent character of the game has been a huge point of debate.<br /><br />Introduced in early 2018, <keyword id="6409600" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="PUBG-MOBILE">PUBG Mobile</keyword> has become a pop culture phenomenon. The game had hit <a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/technology-science/article/pubg-mobile-india-series-2019-how-to-register-last-date-for-registration-rs-1-crore-prize-money-and-more/352103" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">200 million downloads</a> mark in December last year. <br /><br />The concern has now been escalated to the highest level in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a jibe at the online multiplayer battle game developed and published by PUBG Corporation, a subsidiary of South Korean video game company Bluehole, funded by Chinese technology investor, Tencent.<br /><br />Speaking to children and parents on a scheduled annual conversation-- called Parisksha pe charcha or discussion over exams-- preceding the exam season in India, PM Modi had words of caution. “We need to ask ourselves — is technology turning children into robots or making them more human?” Modi said.<br /><br />The prime minister’s rhetoric was in response to a question from the mother of a ninth grader. Madhumita Sen Gupta from Assam, who lives in Delhi, said, “Earlier he (son) was good in studies but now he is too distracted by online games.” The reference to PUBG was one that the prime minister initiated. <br /><br />“I hold technology in very high regard. But every thing has two sides,” the PM said, adding, “If technology is narrowing us and our thoughts, it will be a big setback. Technology should expand our horizons. To laugh and play in open grounds is very important.”<br /><br />He had advice for the parents too, “Parents and teachers must take interest in the evolution of technology and ask children. It will make children feel comfortable in seeking help.”<br /><br />PUBG was <a href="https://www.digit.in/gaming/china-approves-release-of-80-new-games-but-leaves-out-pubg-mobile-developer-tencent-report-45561.html" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">banned</a> in China in December 2018. And in India, education institutes have already started to take steps to stop children from playing the game. Vellore Institute of Technology, primary schools in Gujarat are some examples.<br /><br />The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has also <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pubg-adversely-affecting-students-ban-it-gujarat-government-to-schools-1981810" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">reportedly</a> recommended a ban on the game across the country.<br /><br />With the latest caution coming from none other than the prime minister himself, should PUBG expect a crackdown in India too?<br />

India’s prime minister has an advice for PUBG addicts

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will investigate the use of loot box micro-transactions in video games at the request of U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire.</strong></li><li><strong>Hassan and other critics of the digital goods have compared loot-box transactions to gambling and have expressed concerns that the business model introduces children to addictive behavior.</strong></li><li><strong>The move follows a September statement from European regulators promising to explore the connection between loot boxes and gambling.</strong></li></ul><p>Video game loot boxes are facing a fresh round of scrutiny from United States officials as the Federal Trade Commission prepares to launch an investigation into the increasingly popular business model at the request of Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire.</p><p>Loot boxes are virtual packages containing digital items for use in a specific video game; most games sell loot boxes for real cash via micro-transactions, but some allow players to earn them by playing too. The items inside each virtual box are randomized, with odds of encountering each item set in advance by the developer. Especially rare items often come with really long odds. In some cases, the items inside a loot box can enhance the player's gameplay, creating an added incentive to spend real money to acquire a digital item faster.</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><p>Critics of the loot box business model compare the practice to gambling, because the odds of obtaining specific items are often unknown to the buyer, and the desire to find the rarest items can lead some players to continue spending money on a game with little return on investment. As more video games adopt loot boxes and micro-transactions as a standard, lawmakers around the world have expressed concerns that children are being exposed to an entry-level form of gambling.</p><p><em><strong>Read more: </strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/loot-boxes-european-regulation-2018-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regulators from more than a dozen countries are looking to crack down on 'loot boxes,' a controversial video gaming practice that could be too much like gambling</a></em></p><p>During an oversight hearing for the Federal Trade Commission, Sen. Hassan asked the commissioners to investigate loot-box practices to ensure that children are protected from habit-forming or addictive business models and that parents are informed about other potential negatives. Earlier this year Sen. Hassan wrote an open letter to the Entertainment Software Ratings Board asking the board to collect data on the use and revenue generated by micro-transactions in video games.&#xa0;</p><p>"Loot boxes are now endemic in the video game industry and are present in everything from casual smart phone games to the newest high budget video game releases," Sen. Hassan said during the hearing. "Loot boxes represent a $50 billion industry by the year 2022 according to the latest research estimates."</p><p>FTC Chairman Joseph Simons agreed to investigate the loot-box model and issue a report.</p><p>Sen. Hassan's comments reference an April 2018 report from UK-based Juniper Research, which predicts that loot box revenue will grow from $30 billion this year to $50 billion in 2022. Juniper recommended that regulators step in to stop teenage gamers from selling items scored in loot boxes or using them to gamble. Hassan also referenced a survey of 2,865 11- to 16-year-olds from the UK Gambling Commission showing that 31% of participants had paid for a loot box or had used an in-game item to open a loot box.</p><p>However, in a <a href="https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-11-22-uk-gambling-commission-weve-not-in-anyway-referred-to-loot-boxes-as-exposure-to-gambling" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement given to GamesIndustry.biz</a> prior to Monday's hearing, the UK Gambling Commission clarified that though 31% of the surveyed teens had used loot boxes, there was no direct correlation with gambling.</p><p>The Entertainment Software Association, which represents the political interests of American video game companies, issued the following statement in response to Sen. Hassan's comments:</p><p>"Loot boxes are one way that players can enhance the experience that video games offer. Contrary to assertions, loot boxes are not gambling. They have no real-world value, players always receive something that enhances their experience, and they are entirely optional to purchase. They can enhance the experience for those who choose to use them, but have no impact on those who do not."</p><p>The ESA also said that the ESRB already documents the presence of loot boxes and other interactive elements in video games. As of February 2018, games rated by the ESRB now carry an "in-game purchases" label when micro-transactions are present. Tools for parents to monitor the contents of their children's games are available at <a href="http://www.esrb.org/parentaltools/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">parentaltools.org.</a></p><p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tencent-age-restrictions-identity-verification-china-video-games-2018-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Video game addiction has sparked a culture war in China - and it's having huge repercussions for the world's biggest video game maker</a></em></p><p>In September, the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/loot-boxes-european-regulation-2018-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gambling Regulators European Forum released a joint statement</a> signed by officials from 15 European countries and the Washington State Gambling Commission mirroring concerns about the potential connection between loot boxes and gambling.</p><p>Some European countries have already implemented regulations on micro-transactions, leading developers to disclose the odds of winning each item included in loot boxes or discontinue their sale entirely. A Belgian investigation of popular games like "Overwatch," "FIFA 19," "PlayerUnkown's Battlegrounds," and "NBA 2K19" for their implementation of loot boxes ultimately sparked reform earlier this year.</p><p>Despite warnings from politicians and waves of consumer outrage, gaming companies are seeing larger percentages of their revenue generated from micro-transactions each year. While some contend that buying optional loot boxes is ultimately an issue of player's choice, the concern from critics is that, like gambling, the issue is not knowing when to stop.</p><div></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-uses-water-blast-test-space-launch-system-sls-2018-11">Why NASA blasts half a million gallons of water during rocket launches</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div></hr></hr></hr></hr>

The FTC will investigate whether a multi-billion dollar business model is getting kids hooked on gambling through video games

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Bluehole</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul><li><strong>"PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" took the gaming world by storm in 2017, with over 26 million copies sold.</strong></li><li><strong>The game was only available on PC for much of its existence; as of December 12, it is available on the Xbox One as well.</strong></li><li><strong>With nearly 70 million PlayStation 4 consoles and a wildly popular new Nintendo console in the Switch, owners want to know when "PUBG" is coming to their consoles.</strong></li><li><strong>The answer: It may be awhile.</strong></li></ul><p><br />"PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" - "PUBG" as it's known - is a wildly popular video game that dominated the conversation about games in 2017.</p><p>It launched exclusively on PC back in March 2017, a $30 game available through the popular Steam digital storefront, and more recently on the Xbox One. Nearly 30 million people have already spent $30 for "PUBG" - yet, you can't play the biggest game of 2017 on a PlayStation 4, nor can you play it on Nintendo's wildly popular Switch console. </p><p>Eventually, you may be able to do just that - the matter of <em>when</em> is still up in the air.</p><p>"It's going to be an exclusive title on Xbox One for some time," PUBG Corp. CEO Chang Han Kim <a href="https://www.invenglobal.com/articles/3881/id-like-pubg-to-become-a-universal-media-franchise-ch-kim-the-ceo-of-pubg-corp">told Inven Global in a recent interview</a>. "The final goal," he said, "would be to launch the title on every platform."</p><p>A spokesperson for PUBG Corp. wouldn't even offer up that much when we asked for the official statement. "The team is focusing on the game's PC and Xbox Game Preview versions, and has nothing further to share at this time," we were told via email.</p><p>The truth, of course, is more complicated.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Xbox</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>With over 70 million PlayStation 4 consoles sold and an expected 14 million Nintendo Switch consoles sold by March, there's plenty of good reason to bring "PUBG" as many places as possible. But "PUBG" has an exclusivity agreement with Microsoft that keeps the game locked to the Xbox One for an unknown amount of time. It could be a year, or three months, or something completely different! All we know is there's <em>some</em> form of agreement.</p><p>The game's creative director, Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/playerunknowns-battlegrounds-xbox-one-early-access-microsoft-game-preview-2017-6">told us in June 2017</a> that the decision to go with Microsoft was a measure of the Xbox One "Game Preview" program, a version of Steam's Early Access program that allows the public to buy and play unfinished games. </p><p>"It allows us essentially to do Early Access on a console," Greene told us. </p><p>There is no equivalent game on Sony's PlayStation 4, same with Nintendo's Switch (the one exception on PlayStation 4 being "Fortnite"). Since the game's launch for Xbox One on December 12, "PUBG" has received several major updates - but it still has a long way to go before it's considered "complete." The game <em>feels</em> incomplete, with seams showing everywhere. There is no projected "launch" window for the game's 1.0 version on Xbox One, and without that, it's hard to guess when the game could arrive on the PS4 and Switch. </p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>PUBG Corp.</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>"We definitely do have plans for other platforms," Kim told us in an interview in June 2017. "But no details have been finalized yet." </p><p>It took the game's development studio, PUBG Corp., all of 2017 to get the game's PC version to 1.0. It's entirely possible that the Xbox One version will take the same amount of time, to say nothing of versions on other consoles, but we just don't know. But given how the game is available on PC and Xbox One right now, Kim mentioning "other platforms" - platforms being plural - the PlayStation 4 and Switch are obvious choices.</p><p>It's easy <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/playerunknowns-battlegrounds-2017-5">to understand why "PUBG" caught on</a>: It's a <em>crazy</em> game that's different every time you play it. You're one of 100 people parachuting to a massive island that's been deserted, but only after it was heavily furnished with weapons, ammunition, energy drinks, and medical packs. As time counts down, early scrounging turns to tense skirmishes with one or many players. Will you be the last one standing?</p><p>"PUBG" arrived as an "Early Access" game on PC, meaning it wasn't fully complete. Audiences took to the game anyway, embracing its janky nature as key to its charm. For now, that experience is exclusive to PC and Xbox One owners, but "PUBG" will <em>eventually</em> come to other platforms. </p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-phones-ranking-apple-samsung-google-oneplus-essential-2017-10">The best phones of 2017 that you can buy right now</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

The biggest game of 2017 will eventually release on PS4 - but it could be awhile

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Irene Jiang / Business Insider</span></p><p class="caption">The chicken sandwich wars are back.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Happy Friday! Welcome to another week of The Drive-Thru, where I break down the biggest stories in shopping, fast food, and more. You can sign up to become a Drive-Thru subscriber <a href="http://newsletter.businessinsider.com/join/4np/drivethru" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> to get a rundown on what is happening in <keyword id="6354851" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="retail">retail</keyword> in your inbox every Friday. </p><p>Is everyone ready for Popeyes' chicken sandwich to come back on Sunday? If not, keep reading...</p><h2>The chicken sandwich wars are heating back up. </h2><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Irene Jiang / Business Insider</span></p><p class="caption">The chicken sandwich wars' next front will be breakfast.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>I got internal documents that indicate <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-breakfast-chicken-option-coming-2019-10">McDonald's is planning to launch chicken</a> during breakfast in January 2020. McDonald's already has options like the Chicken McGriddle and McChicken Biscuit at about half of its locations. A national launch will take chicken at breakfast to a whole new level, just as KeyBanc analysts <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/mcdonalds-expected-to-jump-into-the-chicken-sandwich-war-next-year-keybanc-2019-10-23">declare</a> that "breakfast and chicken are the new battlegrounds."</p><p>In a battlefront that is heating up even sooner, Popeyes is <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/popeyes-workers-ready-chicken-sandwich-return-2019-10">bringing back its chicken sandwich on Sunday.</a> Popeyes is already <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/popeyes-chicken-sandwich-returns-chick-fil-a-battle-2019-10">throwing jabs at Chick-fil-A,</a> considered by many to be the current king of chicken sandwiches. Even if Twitter doesn't care as much about chicken sandwiches this time around, restaurant chains are still very, very invested in winning. </p><p>For those keeping track at home, here's how the rivals match up: </p><ul><li><strong>Chick-fil-A.</strong> The chain that started it all. As the self-proclaimed inventor of the chicken sandwich, its growth from a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-chick-fil-a-took-over-america-2019-8">regional Southern brand to the third-largest chain in the US</a> helped convince other companies they needed to get in on the chicken-sandwich-and-biscuit game. It's also closed on Sundays.</li><li><strong>Popeyes.</strong> Chicken sandwich game changer, with a launch that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/popeyes-chicken-sandwich-sales-boost-even-when-off-menu-2019-10">exceeded everyone's wildest expectations.</a> The sandwich really is as good as people say it is, which means that even as the press dies down, sales should still be impressive. Fortunately for Chick-fil-A, it's not typically open for breakfast.</li><li><strong>Wendy's.</strong> As a national chain known for its chicken sandwich, Wendy's is typically seen as one of the brands <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chick-fil-a-american-growth-threatens-wendys-burger-king-2019-8">most threatened by Chick-fil-A's expansion.</a> It is launching its breakfast menu in January with a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wendys-and-chick-fil-a-breakfast-chicken-biscuit-comparison-2019-10">chicken biscuit that takes clear aim at Chick-fil-A.</a> </li><li><strong>McDonald's.</strong> Its chicken sandwich <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-chicken-sales-hit-in-chicken-sandwich-wars-2019-10">simply can't compete with the top players.</a> Franchisees are begging the company to come up with a better sandwich, but early attempts have been disappointing. The potential for a national breakfast campaign with a trendy new item should worry Wendy's and Chick-fil-A.</li></ul><p><em><strong>Read more about <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-breakfast-chicken-option-coming-2019-10">McDonald's chicken at breakfast here</a> and the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/popeyes-workers-ready-chicken-sandwich-return-2019-10">Popeyes chicken sandwich here.</a> Email chicken gossip to me at ktaylor@businessinsider.com. </strong></em></p><h2>Kroger has a 'new brand' coming next week.</h2><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>AP</span></p><p class="caption">Changes are afoot at Kroger.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>When we last checked in with Kroger, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kroger-workers-respond-to-management-layoffs-firings-2019-10">restructuring was worrying workers.</a></p><p>On Monday, Kroger sent around an internal memo promising a brand overhaul and that "all will be revealed" on November 6. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kroger-memo-reveals-new-brand-2019-10">Hayley got her hands on the memo,</a> which says that "old approaches aren't working." The grocery chain <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kroger-reverses-visa-credit-card-ban-2019-10">also reversed its ban on Visa credit cards this week.</a></p><p>In a research note citing Business Insider's report on the memo, Jefferies analyst Christopher Mandeville <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kroger-memo-reveals-new-brand-2019-10">said</a> a rebranding could signify that Kroger management is prepared make drastic changes. </p><p>"Ultimately, this could prove to be a wise move; however, until we receive greater detail, there are far too many unknowns to get encouraged by management's willingness to make drastic, and potentially necessary, change," Mandeville wrote.</p><p><em><strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kroger-memo-reveals-new-brand-2019-10">Read Hayley's story for what we know so far about the brand overhaul</a>. </strong></em></p><h2>Wegmans mania hits Brooklyn. </h2><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Shoshy Ciment/Business Insider</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Wegmans opened in Brooklyn and people were <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wegmans-brooklyn-store-opening-day-record-sales-2019-10">extremely excited.</a> Shoshy was on the scene to talk with some of the 25,000 customers who visited on opening day, including people who <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wegmans-brooklyn-ny-store-opening-fans-2019-10">lined up in the middle of the night in pouring rain</a> to be the first ones in the door. </p><p>"Some people go to the Super Bowl, some people go to Tour de France," Susan Myers, who made the first purchase at the store on Sunday morning, told Shoshy. "I come to the Wegmans opening."</p><p><em><strong>Get a look <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wegmans-brooklyn-store-opening-day-record-sales-2019-10">inside Wegmans' opening here.</a> And, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wegmans-brooklyn-ny-store-opening-fans-2019-10">meet the super fans - including a man in a shirt that combined a black metal band album cover with Wegmans - here.</a></strong></em></p><h2>The American Dream is alive ... but it's pretty empty. </h2><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Shoshy Ciment/Business Insider</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Shoshy also <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-to-american-dream-mall-bus-train-ferry-2019-10">headed to New Jersey</a> to check out the opening of the American Dream megamall, a story more than 20 years in the making. The mall was originally envisioned in 1996 and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/when-does-american-dream-mall-open-timeline-2019-10">was initially supposed to be called Xanadu. </a></p><p>Last Friday, the American Dream finally opened its doors. While tickets to the theme park were supposedly sold out, the three-million-square-foot center was eerily empty and subdued.</p><p>To be fair, only the the Nickelodeon Universe theme park and an ice-skating rink are open now, with stores set to open in 2020. But, the subdued opening - especially when compared to the celebratory mood at the jam-packed Wegmans - raises questions about whether the American Dream can thrive as the retail apocalypse continues. </p><p><em><strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-dream-megamall-opening-day-nickelodeon-universe-photos-2019-10">Check out Shoshy's tour of the megamall here.</a></strong></em></p><h2>Taste test of the week: Which bubble-tea chain reigns supreme? </h2><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Irene Jiang / Business Insider</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>As bubble-tea chains take over New York City and the rest of the US, Irene set out to figure out which chains reign supreme. The winners were two Taiwanese chains: Instagram-famous Tiger Sugar and the more old-school Gong Cha.</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-bubble-tea-compared-tiger-sugar-gong-cha-2019-10">Irene's take:</a> "The drink that stood out to me the most was Tiger Sugar's. Its boba were absolutely perfect in every way, and the brown sugar milk was delightfully rich. However, if you don't agree that Tiger Sugar is bubble tea ... With delicate flavors and textures, Gong Cha's milk tea is inviting and drinkable. Everything tastes fresh and flavorful, and a little something extra." </p><p><em><strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-bubble-tea-compared-tiger-sugar-gong-cha-2019-10">Read the play-by-play of how seven chains matched up here. </a></strong></em></p><h2>Everything else: </h2><ul><li>ABG's bid to buy Barneys' assets was <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/barneys-will-sell-to-authentic-brands-group-2019-10">approved</a> on Thursday. Read the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/leaked-memo-barneys-ceo-bankruptcy-survival-chances-2019-10">leaked memo from CEO Daniella Vitale about the deal here.</a></li><li>MillerCoors <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millercoors-restructuring-job-cuts-name-change-2019-10">basically doesn't exist anymore,</a> as the brand gets folded into Molson Coors, which is also dropping "Brewing" from its name to win over spiked-seltzer-loving millennials.</li><li>White Claw rival Truly changed its recipes, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/truly-seltzer-changes-recipe-challenge-white-claw-review-2019-10">the drinks are actually good now</a>. </li><li>I <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mars-ceo-grant-reid-on-companys-transformation-2019-10">talked with Grant Reid, the CEO of Mars.</a> </li><li>Whole Foods workers are concerned about the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/whole-foods-ceo-john-mackey-memo-on-employee-survey-2019-10">pace of change at the Amazon-owned grocery chain.</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/closed-toys-r-us-store-haunted-house-retail-apocalypse-2019-10">In a very on-the-nose retail apocalypse moment,</a> a Toys R Us was transformed into a haunted house.</li><li>Beyond Meat's CEO is telling investors that the company will be <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/beyond-meats-ceo-amazon-tesla-of-meat-2019-10">the Tesla or Amazon of the meat industry.</a></li><li>GrubHub lost <em>more than a third</em> of its market value<a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/grubhub-stock-price-plummets-after-weak-q3-earnings-report-2019-10-1028640102"> after dismal earnings</a>. </li><li>Jersey Mike's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jersey-mikes-apologizes-backlash-gun-control-activists-2019-10">thought</a> the right response to a discussion of gun control was to tweet: "If the laws were up to us, we'd make it so everyone had to eat Jersey Mike's Subs on Sunday."</li><li>Costco employees' badge colors <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/costco-employees-badge-color-meanings-silver-gold-2019-10">have hidden meanings!</a> </li><li>Jeff Bezos is <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jeff-bezos-swimming-trunks-make-top-10-hottest-menswear-items-2019-10">a fashion icon and trendsetter now.</a></li><li>Kanye West's song about Chick-fil-A convinced me to write a very long piece about <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kanye-west-kim-kardashian-use-chick-fil-a-mcdonalds-2019-10">Kimye's relationship to fame and fast food,</a> including a deep cut from my 2015 interview with then-Carl's Jr. CEO Andy Puzder. </li></ul><p><strong><em>Thanks for reading - <a href="http://newsletter.businessinsider.com/join/4np/drivethru">sign up to become a subscriber here for more of The Drive-Thru in your inbox!</a></em></strong></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mars-ceo-automation-means-massive-obligations-to-workers-2019-11">The CEO of a $35 billion company says that automation brings 'massive opportunities' and 'massive obligations'</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

You Searched For "player unknown battlegrounds" and got 12 results

Faced with ban threats, PUBG is trying to placate Indian parents and the government

Prabhjote Gill

Here’s why VR headsets may not be an option for PUBG fans

Prabhjote Gill

7 reasons you should play PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, or 'PUBG,' instead of Fortnite

Kaylee Fagan

BGMI delisted from Play Store and App Store after government order citing data sharing and mining in China: Report

Rahul Verma

India has banned 47 more Chinese apps including a TikTok clone and is eyeing hundreds more

Isobel Asher Hamilton

The rising popularity of eSports during the Quarantine period

Guest Author

The creator of the greatest game of 2017 says that he's not mad that 'Fortnite' took its best ideas

Kaylee Fagan

The maker of 'Fortnite' is suing two YouTubers for trolling with cheats and sharing hacks

Kevin Webb

India’s prime minister has an advice for PUBG addicts

Sriram Iyer

The FTC will investigate whether a multi-billion dollar business model is getting kids hooked on gambling through video games

Kevin Webb

The biggest game of 2017 will eventually release on PS4 - but it could be awhile

Ben Gilbert

The Drive-Thru: New battlefronts in the fast-food chicken wars, Kroger's rebrand, and Wegmans mania hits New York

Kate Taylor

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides