Audio, Video Streaming Account for 70% of Internet Traffic in North America
People stream so much content in the evening that the activity now accounts for over 70% of peak internet traffic in North America.
That's according to Sandvine and its recently published Global Internet Phenomena Report, which also reveals that the simple act of streaming audio and video, or "real-time entertainment," as Sandvine calls it, has grown over the years. Just five years ago, services like Netflix and Amazon Instant Video only accounted for 35% of peak internet traffic.
New to Amazon Prime for January 2016
Here's a breakdown of everything headed to Amazon Prime in January - including movies like Bone Tomahawk, Goodnight Mommy, Sin City, Mortdecai, and The Missing. All free for Prime members on the Instant Video platform. Plus, original series Mad Dogs, from The Shield's Shawn Ryan, debuts its first season.
Also, for purchase, there's Black Mass, Goosebumps, Joe Dirt 2, and more.
Check it out!
IGN SPOTLIGHT
- Bone Tomahawk
Kurt Russell, Patrick Wilson, Matthew Fox, and Richard Jenkins star in this intense Western thriller about a four-man posse that sets out to rescue a group of captives from cannibalistic cave dwellers.
Bethesda Confirms Layoffs at Elder Scrolls Online Developer
Bethesda has confirmed that there have been layoffs at Elder Scrolls Online developer, Zenimax Online Studios.
Although the Connacht Tribune originally reported 300 jobs had been lost from its Irish customer service office in Galway, Ireland, Bethesda has now issued a clarifying press statement confirming the staff has been reduced by "approximately 50 people" and was "normal practice".
“Following the successful console launch of The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited in June, we have a thriving console and PC online community,” said the developer in the statement to Eurogamer.
Adult Harry, Ron and Hermione Cast for New Play
The leads for Harry Potter and The Cursed Child have been announced with Jaime Parker, Paul Thornley, and Noma Dumezweni taking on the roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione respectively.
(L-R_ Paul Thornley ("Ron Weasley"), Noma Dumezweni ("Hermione Granger") and Jamie Parker ("Harry Potter") will star in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Celebrate the Holidays with the Latest GTA Online Update
GTA Online's holiday update has now rolled out, introducing new masks, clothing, costumes and festive Christmas trees.
You'll also find Christmassy pyjamas, and - if you stop by Ponsonby's - there are free Bad Santa costumes available. You can also pick up a selection of festive new masks from The Mask Store, too.
Some of the new Festive pajamas @TezFunz2 pic.twitter.com/GiYFvN0NHm
— MrGamerFanatic (@MrGamerFanatic) December 21, 2015
Super Mario RPG Coming to Wii U VC in Europe
Square's classic Super Nintendo role-playing game, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, is making its way to Wii U owners in Europe, Nintendo has announced.
The game will be available for purchase on Virtual Console this Thursday, December 4, for €7.99, Eurogamer reports. UK pricing has yet to be revealed.
The original SNES version of Super Mario RPG released in North America and Japan back in 1996, but never made its way to Europe. It wasn't until the game was released for Wii Virtual Console in 2008 that Europeans could play the title without importing.
UK Christmas Deals – 15% off games
Rise of the Tomb Raider Demo Available Now on Xbox One
Microsoft has released a demo of timed-exclusive Rise of the Tomb Raider on the Xbox One.
The trial is available to download now and will take up 21GB on your hard drive.
In our review, we gave Rise of the Tomb Raider a 9.3, stating: "Though the mandatory combat doesn’t distinguish itself with challenging enemies unless you crank up the difficulty, Lara’s newfound versatility on the battlefield makes fighting a lot more fun.
"Once again it’s Lara herself, however, who steals the show, her complex ambitions and hardened resolve showing new sides to a character who has well and truly grown from survivor to the most fascinating action hero in video games today."
Get 50 Percent Off FIFA 16 With the Latest 12 Deals of Christmas Offer
In the penultimate deal of Sony's 12 Deals of Christmas promotion, there's 50 percent off FIFA 16 on the EU PSN store.
From now until 11.59pm GMT tomorrow, December 22, 2015, you can grab the Super Deluxe digital version of FIFA 16 Super Deluxe Edition (PS4) for €50 (was €100), or the FIFA 16 Deluxe Edition (PS4) for €40 (was €80).
While there's no discount for the standard version on PlayStation 4, you can pick it up at a discounted €35 (usually €70) for the PS3.
Other discounts this festive period have included Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Mad Max, WWE 2K16, Pro Evolution Soccer 2015, Destiny: The Taken King and Need for Speed, and Assassin's Creed Syndicate.
Going Dreamsurfing With Media Molecule
“Dreamsurfing” is the term Media Molecule uses to describe moving from one dream to another in unbroken succession through different aesthetics and genres; a journey through an eccentric subconscious. It’s a fitting new word, as Dreams is shaping up to be the most startlingly original and ambitious game to come out of the studio thus far.
“Dreamsurfing allows us to do something expressive and it means we’re not tied to only one particular time zone and type of character,” says Media Molecule director Siobhan Reddy, as we watch Molecule artist Maja-Lisa Kehlet dreamsurf with two glowing PlayStation Move controllers. “I’m personally so excited about what we’re going to do because I don’t know yet. We have at our fingertips a really powerful tool. We can experiment with this experience - and that’s so exciting.”