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OpenAI connects ChatGPT to the internet

TechCrunch

OpenAI’s viral AI-powered chatbot, ChatGPT , can now browse the internet — in certain cases. Search engines like Google and Bing use their own safety mechanisms to reduce the chances unreliable content rises to the top of results, but these results can be gamed.

ChatGPT 335
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Epic Games to shut down Houseparty in October, including the video chat ‘Fortnite Mode’ feature

TechCrunch

Houseparty, the social video chat app acquired by Fortnite maker Epic Games for a reported $35 million back in 2019, is shutting down. Related to this move, Epic Games’ “ Fortnite Mode” feature , which leveraged Houseparty to bring video chat to Fortnite gamers, will also be discontinued.

Games 248
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Riot Games and Konvoy Ventures back games publisher Carry1st in $6M Series A

TechCrunch

Mobile gaming is no exception. For a continent that is home to more than 1 billion millennials and Gen Zers, mobile gaming has never really picked up, despite the continent witnessing rapid economic growth and smartphone adoption. The company started as a game studio, developing and launching its own mobile games.

Games 245
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Virtual social network IMVU raises $35M from China’s NetEase and others

TechCrunch

The line between social networking and gaming is increasingly blurring , and internet incumbents are taking notice. NetEase, the second-largest gaming company in China (behind Tencent), is among a group of investors who just backed IMVU, an avatar-focused social network operating out of California.

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Blidz raises $6.6M to expand its Pinduoduo-inspired social shopping app

TechCrunch

Gamification and social hooks have become cornerstones across every category of consumer apps these days, and today one that’s using these to build out a new e-commerce platform in Europe is announcing a seed round to give its growth a boost. Translating that to today’s internet landscape in regions like Europe and the U.S.

Social 244
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a16z, Avenir and Google back South African mobile games publisher Carry1st in $20M round

TechCrunch

Carry1st , a South African publisher of social games and interactive content across Africa, has raised a $20 million Series A extension led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). A couple of prominent individual investors, including Nas and the founders of Chipper Cash , Sky Mavis and Yield Guild Games, took part.

Games 254
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Playbyte’s new app aims to become the ‘TikTok for games’

TechCrunch

A startup called Playbyte wants to become the TikTok for games. The company’s newly launched iOS app offers tools that allow users to make and share simple games on their phone, as well as a vertically scrollable, fullscreen feed where you can play the games created by others. — Playbyte (@PlaybyteInc) May 25, 2021.

Games 221