Even people who never play poker have talked about how important getting a good poker face is, and it can be helpful in plenty of situations other than the poker table. For example, many people in the world of business are told to keep a great poker face, because they need to keep themselves calm and stoic with their emotions in check. They might be receiving the deal of a lifetime that is sending their heart pumping, but they can’t let anyone else at the table know that. Poker faces are useful everywhere, but if you don’t have one you can still keep your expression to yourself in an online casino, check here for your options.
Lady Gaga, Mike McDonald, Stephen Chidwick, and Phil Ivey have their legendary poker faces in common with one another, and Lady Gaga skyrocketed the term when she released the 2008 hit, ‘Poker Face’. While the song isn’t about poker and keeping a steady face during a game, and more about sexually suggestive lyrics, many people sang about the term.
If you type “poker face definition” into a search engine, you will get the following: “an impassive countenance that covers one’s genuine feelings.” In terms of poker, a poker face is an emotionally neutral face that is expressionless. You might be begging for your opponents to react to your bluff in a certain way, or you might be over the moon because of how great your starting hand is… but you can show that on your face.
If you think about someone with a poker face, you might think about someone who is making every effort to seem emotionless, or you might think about someone who is stoic and impassive to the world around them. But a poker face can be anything you want it to be.
You can try to unnerve your opponents with a big smile, always look like you are thinking really hard about something, or just seem like you are moments away from breaking down into tears. It doesn’t really matter what your poker face is, so long as it is consistent and you can avoid showing your true emotions while wearing it.
Why Do You Need A Poker Face?
Poker is a game where you see everyone’s hand in very specific conditions, and what you have in your hand isn’t as important as what people think you have in your hand. Poker is a game of the mind as you try to deal with partial information and high stakes. This means that you need to be analyzing your opponent’s just as much as your own strategy.
Little cues like ‘tells’, the body language of the poker player, the size of their wager, their playing style, and all of those little movements are what give people information. Then you can make a guess based on how they are bluffing and if what they are presenting to the world is what they have in their hands. A lot of these tells in poker are going to be tells that are physiological and automatic, for example when some players have a very good hand, their hands start to tremble automatically. For the other players at the table, this can give away that something has the player excited about their hand. But a good poker face can be learned.
How To Get And Keep A Good Poker Face
You can learn the skills needed to get a good poker face, but it will take some serious time and effort on your part. It is very easy to react to the world and circumstances around you, and it can be very hard to learn to shut that side of yourself down and keep the same face no matter what is happening.
Practicing in front of a mirror can be very helpful, as can practicing whenever something very good or bad happens in your life. Additionally, if you don’t just want to look like you have a good poker face, but also want to act like you are detached and emotionless, you can research the ways of the stoic.
It can be hard to keep a poker face even if you are by yourself, but with enough practice you will be able to enter your next casino game with a poker face that your opponents won’t be able to decipher too easily. That might be the thing that gets you the win in the end!
The Creative Pebble Pro speakers are certainly something to look at if you are one to spend all day at your pc and more, they would also make an ideal gift for a tech fan in your life or even something just for you, The design is familiar and the colour in which we have to review is quite nice and neutral with the controls on one side which is handy and you can also pop in wired headphones if you wish but then again we have got Bluetooth 5.3 on board here which is the latest. The 45 degree angle delivers the sound where it should be going and unlike your TV which is mostly downward firing and your laptop up ward firing this sends the audio the right direction to make it more immersive and give you a better audio experience no matter if it is gaming music or even movies you might be doing on your PC.
Small and portable these can be moved into any room in the house which I like and the colour too as it is simple to keep clean, the build and design is robust and will last and overall looks well with simple controls on one side which allows you to change the volume the RGB lights and pair a new device so simplicity is another key factor here.
With the longer cable provided this can be used for almost any set up unlike mine which is on the small side but I do have two areas at home where I work. When it comes to the sound they sound great and better than before with more bass more volume and better direction but check the video below for more.
Features
A wide array of connectivity options that include Bluetooth 5.3 wireless technology, 3.5mm AUX-in port, USB-C port for audio streaming and power
Headphone and microphone ports to transform the Pebble Pro as a convenient communications tool, or for late-night private listening
Series signature 45-degree elevated angle for optimal audio projection to users’ ears
Long wire (1.8m / 5.9 ft) connecting both speakers; offers more flexibility in placement
Long USB-C cable (1.5m / 4.92 ft) for connection to the computer
The Creative Pebble Pro is priced at € 79.99, £ 65.99, US$59.99 and is available at Creative.com.
The Tile workshop have been busy preparing some brand-new limited-edition versions of the brand’s signature Bluetooth trackers, just in time for stockings to be filled. The vibrant, eye-catching designs means there’s something for everyone on your list this Christmas.
Thanks to the range of form factors, Tile’s trackers can be attached to essentials such as keys and bags, or tucked it into wallets and purses. Then, via the free Tile App, users can keep track of their items and ‘ring’ something if it goes missing. Tile can also be used in reverse to call a phone if it’s misplaced – even when it’s on silent. If an item is truly lost, the Tile app also lets users check its last registered location on a map.
Check out the range below and watch out for some reviews
The most important benefits are the ones you implement yourself. A digital sign isn’t a single-purpose tool. They are used for everything from orchestrating flash mobs to telling call center workers the average wait-holding time. To give you a clearer view of the most important benefits that digital signs offer businesses, here are a few use cases from other businesses.
McDonalds Let You Make Your Order
In the old days, you walk up to the person at the checkout, you make your order, they tell you to go away and wait, and then call you for your order. These days, you walk in and there are large (or small) digital signs. You make your order on their system in a similar way you do on their app. You then pay via a variety of methods (some in Europe even have cash slots). After that, you get a number (and sometimes a receipt) and they call you for your order. The digital signs are touch screen, and it has never been easier or quicker to order inside a McDonalds.
Moving People Around a Theater
The theater has famous comedians playing, and there are lots of people both arriving and leaving. The digital signs are placed in a wide variety of places. When the people are arriving, the digital signs direct people to their seating sections and to the bathrooms and perhaps the refreshments area depending on how big the crowd is. During the show, the signs only point to the bathrooms and offer updates for future shows. As the crowd is leaving, all the signs point to the car parks, and the ones nearer the gates or doors have schedules for the next shows of the same comedian and for other comedian’s shows. Thanks to products like Kitcast, it is easy to schedule these changes so that you don’t need somebody to manually alter the signs every night.
Demonstrating Large Items
If a company has a particularly amazing lawn mower, or something large, they show videos of the lawn mower in action. They show demonstrations, tutorials, and comparisons with other devices. Even though the customers are unable to see the product in action right now, they can see it under perfect conditions on the videos. In many cases, this helps the customers make their buying decision. What’s more impressive is that it lowers the demands on staff members because the videos do the selling instead of the staff members.
Selling in Store
Have you ever seen those people, usually in superstores, where they demonstrate things like knives? They show the seller cutting through a tin can, and yet the knife is still sharp enough to cut a tomato. Consider how easy it would be to sell if the person doing the demonstration could do exactly the same demonstration every ten minutes for a full eight-hour shift. A human would struggle with such a task, but with a digital sign, you can have your products demonstrated over and over again while in store. There are several selling networks and companies that have brought their TV shopping platforms into stores, and they have done it with digital signs. Put the products under the signs and let them do the selling for you.
Offer Stock Updates
The best examples of this were during the Covid pandemic when nobody could get any microchips, so things like the Playstation 5 were viciously difficult to get. You couldn’t sell them online because people were raiding parcels to find the consoles and steal them. So, all you did was put the restock notice on your digital sign in the window. Even small product drops would see people rushing into the store to buy. Plus, some savvy sellers would auction off the consoles, and others would only release three or four per day. That way, they trained people to keep checking their digital signs for stock drops. Training them to keep coming into the store to see if there were any Playstation 5s today.
Today at AWS re:Invent, Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), an Amazon.com, Inc. company (NASDAQ: AMZN), announced it will be water positive (water+) by 2030, returning more water to communities than it uses in its direct operations. The company also announced its 2021 global water use efficiency (WUE) metric of 0.25 liters of water per kilowatt-hour, demonstrating AWS’s leadership in water efficiency among cloud providers.
AWS is already well on the path to becoming water+ and as part of this new commitment will report annually on its WUE metric, new water reuse and recycling efforts, new activities to reduce water consumption in its facilities, and advancements in new and existing replenishment projects. To learn more about AWS’s water+ commitment visit: https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/water.
“Water scarcity is a major issue around the world and with today’s water positive announcement we are committing to do our part to help solve this rapidly growing challenge,” said Adam Selipsky, CEO of AWS. “In just a few years half of the world’s population is projected to live in water-stressed areas, so to ensure all people have access to water, we all need to innovate new ways to help conserve and reuse this precious resource. While we are proud of the progress we have made, we know there is more we can do. We are committed to leading on water stewardship in our cloud operations, and returning more water than we use in the communities where we operate. We know this is the right thing to do for the environment and our customers.”
AWS has been driving four key strategies in pursuit of becoming water+ by 2030: improving water efficiency, using sustainable water sources, returning water for community reuse, and supporting water replenishment projects.
Water efficiency: AWS is constantly innovating across its infrastructure to reduce water consumption. It achieves its industry-leading water efficiency by using advanced cloud services, such as Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, to analyze real-time water use and identify and fix leaks. AWS further improves operational efficiency by eliminating cooling water use in many of its facilities for most of the year, instead relying on outside air. For example, in Ireland and Sweden, AWS uses no water to cool its data centers for 95% of the year. AWS also invests in on-site water-treatment systems that allow it to reuse water multiple times, minimizing water consumed for cooling.
Sustainable sources: AWS uses sustainable water sources, such as recycled water and rainwater harvesting, wherever possible. Using recycled water, which is only suitable for a limited set of applications such as irrigation and industrial use, preserves valuable drinking water for communities. In Northern Virginia, AWS worked with Loudoun Water to become the first data center operator in the state approved to use recycled water in direct evaporative cooling systems. AWS already uses recycled water for cooling in 20 data centers around the world and has plans to expand recycled water use in more facilities as it works toward becoming water+.
Community water reuse: After maximizing the use of water in its data centers, the spent liquid is still safe for many other uses, and AWS is finding more ways to return it to communities. In Oregon, AWS provides up to 96% of the cooling water from its data centers to local farmers at no charge for use in irrigating crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat.
Water replenishment: To meet its water+ commitment, AWS is investing in water replenishment projects in the communities where it operates. Replenishment projects expand water access, availability, and quality by restoring watersheds and bringing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene services to water-stressed communities. To date, AWS has completed replenishment projects in Brazil, India, Indonesia, and South Africa, providing 1.6 billion liters of freshwater each year to people in those communities. For example, in regions like Maharashtra and Hyderabad, India, and West Java, Indonesia, AWS is partnering with global clean water nonprofit Water.org to provide 250,000 people with access to safe water and sanitation. Building on its existing portfolio of water replenishment programs, AWS today announced several new projects, which, once completed, will provide more than 823 million liters of water to communities each year, including:
India: AWS is providing continued support to WaterAid to complete projects in Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh after they were launched in March 2022. Since then, WaterAid has already completed five piped water systems and new groundwater recharge projects, which will supply 500 households–approximately 2,100 people–with an estimated 47 million liters of water per year. WaterAid also conducted education campaigns on water conservation in these communities to educate residents on practical ways they can conserve clean water, use rainwater harvesting, and conduct water audits.
UK: AWS is working with The Rivers Trust and Action for the River Kennet to create two wetlands on a tributary of the River Thames, one of the most important water catchment areas in the UK. The wetlands will recharge over 587 million liters of groundwater per year and improve water quality by receiving and treating polluted runoff from farms and roadways, addressing growing water scarcity and boosting water quality in the Thames River basin.
US (California): Beginning this winter,AWS, the conservation non-profit Freshwater Trust, and the Omochumne-Hartnell Water District will recharge 189 million liters of groundwater per year using winter water from the Cosumnes River. This will allow water to gradually flow through the groundwater table and back into the Sacramento and San Joaquin watershed, increasing water flows during drier summer months. This lowers the temperature of the river, improves salmon habitat, and increases summer flows into the San Francisco Bay Delta, a critical water supply source for the communities in the region.
Today’s announcement adds to Amazon’s commitment of $10 million to Water.org to support the launch of the Water & Climate Fund, which will deliver climate-resilient water and sanitation solutions to 100 million people across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This donation will directly empower 1 million people with water access by 2025, providing 3 billion liters of water each year to people in water scarce areas.
“Our work with Amazon is supported by the shared belief that solving the global water crisis is possible. We commend AWS for committing to return more water than it uses by announcing Water+ by 2030,” said Matt Damon, co-founder of Water.org. Gary White, Water.org CEO and co-founder, added, “Our collaboration with Amazon and AWS already brings over 805 million liters of safe water to communities around the world every year, and we are excited to continue to work with Amazon to bring even more safe water to families in need.”
“WateReuse Association celebrates AWS’s commitment to go water positive by 2030, and for integrating water recycling as a key component in its goal to protect water resources, local ecosystems, and spur economic development,” said Patricia Sinicropi, executive director of WateReuse Association. “The progress AWS has made in using recycled water for cooling in 20 of their data centers already shows great leadership for the industry. We look forward to collaborating with Amazon to implement water reuse for the benefit of their operations and for the communities in which they operate.”
“AWS’s announcement to be water positive by 2030 demonstrates a clear commitment to water stewardship and sustainability,” said Mary Wenzel, managing director of corporate engagement at The Nature Conservancy. “AWS’s support of our work has helped improve water security for people and nature in water-stressed regions in South Africa and Brazil. We look forward to continuing our relationship with AWS to improve water quality and quantity by protecting and restoring watersheds around the world.”
AWS will report annually on new innovations in water efficiency, community reuse, water replenishment projects, and other activities on its path to achieving its water+ commitment. A full overview of how AWS will meet water+ by 2030 is in the methodology, available here: https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/water
In 2019 the UK beauty industry was estimated at £27b and ranked as the seventh-largest global beauty market. In 2020 many salons were forced to close because of COVID-19, which led to an average 45% loss in revenue and made many full-time beauty professionals convert into freelancers. As a result, almost 70% of the beauty industry was represented by freelancers in the UK by the end of 2021.
In addition to this, over 250k beauty professionals left Ukraine in order to escape the war in the past eight months. Many of them landed in the UK, having to start their careers from scratch without a steady client base, local recognition and understanding of how the UK beauty market works.
As a result, there are many beauty freelancers in the UK but not many services that can support them with connecting to clients, securely processing payments, resolving disputes and managing cancellations. We realised that we can support these newly converted and recently arrived beauty freelancers to get on track in the freelancing game with GLAMLAB London.
How to help freelancers
In the first few months of the launch, GLAMLAB London was able to generate over 300+ applications from beauty freelancers. But after a careful analysis of freelancers’ portfolios, it was decided to proceed with 100 of them. GLAMLAB aims to focus on a narrow number of beauty freelancers at first and steadily increase it to ensure the clients can be sourced for every single freelancer.
GLAMLAB ensures to support freelancers not only by automating appointments and securing payments but also by connecting them with new customers. The aim is to invest in the marketing of freelancers’ services, involving social media marketing, influencers and performance marketing tools to ensure freelancers’ calendars are busy. The main purpose of this is to allow freelancers to focus on their passion – making their clients look beautiful and taking their other worries away.
The best part of GLAMLAB is the fact that the service and all its features are absolutely free for freelancers. As mentioned before, partly GLAMLAB carries out a humanitarian mission helping beauty freelancers who lost jobs or were faced to move from Ukraine to the UK and start their careers over. GLAMLAB gives them the opportunity to restart their careers, generate a client base, build a portfolio and start earning money again without having to spend on subscription or commission fees.
Who’s behind GLAMLAB?
Prototype of GLAM LAB was launched in September by Angelina Liparteliani. Angelina has a background in social media and digital marketing. She is employed as a Social Media Lead at Johnson & Johnson and previously she has been working as Social Media Manager at Philip Morris International.
Angelina Liparteliani
The initial idea came up in 2019 when she was looking for hairstyling and makeup services to get ready for her prom. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to find a service that would meet all her expectations, including being able to know what professional is coming, how their previous works look like and what experience they have. The idea has developed further throughout COVID-19 and the increased number of independent beauty freelancers.
What is the future of GLAMLAB?
Today more and more consumers expect to solve a problem with a snap of their fingers: from ordering a taxi, booking a room, shopping for groceries to getting beauty treatments. It is predicted that the on-demand market will reach $335b by the end of 2025 (up from $58b currently). GLAMLAB is aiming to use this trend to grow and expand, providing beauty freelancers with the opportunity to scale their careers while elevating the industry and becoming a top service for getting professional beauty treatments at home in the UK.
University College Cork (UCC) has recognised Dell Technologies for its contribution to the education, research, and development of electronic engineers. The donation of high-end computing and data storage equipment enables UCC’s Embedded Systems research group in the School of Engineering and Architecture to rapidly accelerate research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Dell’s support for UCC has contributed to ground-breaking research activity in AI, specifically its application in medicine and cyber security. The digital equipment has also been an accelerant for financial mathematics, circuit design and IoT for environmental monitoring. Part of this research is conducted in collaboration with UCC’s world-leading research centres, including the Insight SFI Centre for Data Analytics, CRT-AI (SFI Centre for Research Training in Artificial Intelligence), and MaREI (SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine).
UCC President, Professor John O’Halloran, welcomed Dell’s Aongus Hegarty, President of International Markets, and Des O’Sullivan, Vice President, Customer Solution Centers, to the university in recognition of the company’s contribution to the university.
Professor John O’Halloran, President University College Cork commented: “I am delighted to welcome Aongus and Des and thank Dell for their continued support for our education and research activities at UCC. Dell’s commitment to the advancement of technological innovation has enabled us to provide the cutting-edge facilities necessary to pursue game-changing research in areas such as These are strategically important disciplines for UCC that will build a foundation for economic, societal, and cultural resilience and prosperity”.
Dr Emanuel Popovici, Chair of the Industry Relations Committee at the School of Engineering and Architecture and Director of Embedded Systems@UCC group, said:
“We are delighted with the help and support provided by Dell. It will enable us to bring AI and IoT research, teaching, and learning to new heights. By using state-of-the-art computing from Dell, we are already reaping the rewards with some tremendous success in the multi-award-winning Embedded Systems research group through prizes, medals, and awards for our students and staff.”
Aongus Hegarty, President of International Markets, Dell Technologies said: “We’re proud to build on our strong partnership with UCC’s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering by providing high-end computing power and data storage equipment to help their researchers unlock opportunities. Our support will assist cutting-edge research at every level – from undergraduate to ground-breaking post-doctoral research. By combining our technology with the innovations the UCC students are developing, we can collectively put AI to advance the development of connected healthcare, smart manufacturing and sustainable energy systems. ”
University College Cork has a longstanding relationship with Dell spanning many years. The company has facilitated employability initiatives such as student internships, and many of UCC’s engineering graduates have pursued highly successful and fulfilling careers with Dell.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Dell’s support was crucial in maintaining an excellent standard of learning, teaching, and research for students by providing continuity of access to state-of-the-art computing – a key component of many of UCC’s engineering courses.
QUOTES
Professor Jorge Oliveira, Head, School of Engineering and Architecture said:
“The School of Engineering and Architecture has traditionally relied significantly on the support of industrial companies to deliver a top-quality experience to our students. We are most grateful to Dell for once again strengthening this interaction to the benefit of our knowledge base and student experience”.
Professor Sarah Culloty, Head, College of Science, Engineering and Food Science commented:
“We are extremely grateful to Dell for their leadership in supporting the next generation of STEM pioneers through a transformative programme of investment that will advance engineering education and research at UCC”.
House of Marley is an eco-conscious audio brand created in collaboration with Bob Marley’s family, taking the guilt out of tech purchases. The brand has some great options for both music lovers and those who want to be a bit more sustainable in their gifts this year! House of Marley crafts all of its products using mindfully sourced materials including FSC certified woods, bamboo, consciously harvested cork, REGRIND™ silicone and Marley’s own signature blend of REWIND™ up-cycled fabrics (made from organic cotton, reclaimed hemp and recycled plastic bottles)
Take your listening experience to a whole new level with the Redemption ANC 2. Experience full customisation of your sound profile (EQ), pairing name, and customised touch controls with the House of Marley app. With innovative features such as Active Noise Cancellation, Echo Noise Cancellation and Audio Passthrough mode, these earbuds empower you to have full control of your music.
Offering smooth acoustics and an impressive bass output, the latest addition to Marley’s line-up promises 15 hours of playtime – so you can enjoy your go-to playlists wherever you are. Featuring quick-charge technology, three EQ modes and a multipair setting, the Get Together 2 Mini speaker seamlessly connects to the entire Get Together 2 range for even bigger stereo sound. Built to withstand the elements, the Get Together 2 Mini speaker is water and dust-resistant, while upholding the classic bamboo accents House of Marley is known for.
Change the way you charge with One Drop. This wireless charger offers a unique and sustainable design with high-performance technology for your earbud case or smartphone. The One Drop Wireless Charger features a durable REGRIND® silicone backing for added stability and protection, while the bamboo surface provides a natural and minimalist look on your nightstand, table, or desk. Simply place your Qi-enabled earbud case or smartphone on One Drop and let the magic happen. Compatible with most iPhones and other wireless-enabled Android smartphones.
Pair the Get Together Duo Bookshelf Speakers to our Stir It Up Wireless Turntable for the perfect home sound set up. Chill as your favourite vinyl’s spin and enjoy a crisper, smoother sound from the Get Together’s smooth full range way speakers. The complete package for all vinyl lovers. Or get the products separately
Enjoy your favourite playlists on-the-go with the Get Together Solo – an all-new portable speaker that boasts up to 25 hours of playtime. Engineered to deliver vibrant, balanced audio wherever you are, the Get Together Solo speaker features 3.5- and 0.75-inch drivers, meaning you can fully immerse yourself in the sound and feel the beat like you were meant to.
This year has seen a continued increase in the ownership of games consoles. The rate of ownership has risen from 34% of respondents in 2020 to 41% in 2022. The penetration of VR headsets has also risen to 11% of respondents in 2022, a new Deloitte study shows.
17% of those respondents between 18- and 24-year-olds own a VR headset, and 57% of the same age group know something about the metaverse. One of the challenges to the penetration of VR technology is the cost of the hardware. One in four of the respondents found the costs to be prohibitive.
The metaverse
One of the largest developments in the virtual reality space, the metaverse – a digital world in which a person can control an avatar and interact with the avatars of others remains an underdeveloped concept for Irish consumers. The term hit mainstream only 12 months ago and 65% of people have heard of it with 35% at least familiar with what the metaverse is. However, again the 18–24-year-old category are more aware, with 57% of them knowing something about the metaverse.
John Kehoe Deloitte Partner in Audit and Assurance (Technology, Media and Telecom) said:“The concept of a metaverse has been thrust into mainstream media in the past year, with younger people being more familiar with what it is.
“Interestingly awareness is different between men and women, with 44% of men knowing something about the metaverse compared to 26% of women. There are also significant differences in the age demographics, with 57% of 18-24 year olds knowing something about it, compared to just 19% for 55-64 year olds.”
Consoles make pandemic gains but mobile gaming remains dominant
Following declines in 2019 and 2020 after reaching a peak of 38% in 2018, access to games consoles has peaked again with 41% of respondents confirming access. Two thirds (67%) of adults surveyed play digital games on any device, including their smartphone.
The data on console ownership aligns with recent sales figures for the PlayStation 5 (PS5), which sold 25 million units by the end of September 2022, according to Sony’s official sales numbers. However, a persistent chip shortage has kept the PS5 from matching the sales pace of its predecessor, the PS4, which has gone on to sell over 100 million units and counting.
While Microsoft does not disclose official sales numbers, the tech giant has confirmed that the Xbox Series X|S are the fastest-selling Xbox consoles of all time.
However, mobile gaming still remains the dominant market with one-in-two adults who own a smartphone using it to play video games.
Mr. Kehoe continued: “There has been some significant gaming related acquisitions in the last 12 months, with Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a leader in game development and interactive entertainment content publisher for $68.6 billion, being the most notable. Activision Blizzard earned over half its Q2 revenue from mobile gaming and related sources. This acquisition is subject to regulatory review by the European Commission, the results of this investigation are due by the middle of March 2023.”
In game currency and purchases
‘Gaming on demand’ subscriptions continue to rise in popularity as nearly half of players now hold a gaming subscription with Playstation Plus/Now (20%) and Xbox Live (15%) the most popular.
One-in-four gamers surveyed have purchased in-game currency with younger age groups particularly interested in this: 47% of respondents in the age group 18-24 purchased in game currency. Season passes (15%) or game extensions (10%) related digital content were the top purchases, with either regular money or in-game currency used.
Daryl Hanberry, Partner and Head of Technology, Media and Telecommunications at Deloitte said:“Even though two-in-three gamers have not spent money on digital content in the last two months, we know that these in-game purchases are driving significant revenue for companies like Activision Blizzard, especially purchases made in mobile games.”
Mr. Hanberry continued:“Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard and Sony’s plans for a dedicated PlayStation mobile gaming unit show that more traditional gaming companies are beginning to look towards revenue models that are increasingly driven by in-game purchases. It will be interesting to see if the habits of gamers change in response to this.”
