logo
Assassin's Creed Shadows update brings New Game Plus, level cap boost and story DLC

Assassin's Creed Shadows update brings New Game Plus, level cap boost and story DLC

Hindustan Times25-07-2025
Ubisoft has announced a New Game Plus mode for Assassin's Creed Shadows, set to launch next week. Although the game is a single-player experience, Ubisoft continues to support it with regular updates similar to live service multiplayer games. The company has released a detailed summer update roadmap filled with several key additions and improvements. Ubisoft will add new Game Plus mode and expansions to Assassin's Creed Shadows starting next week.(Xbox)
Assassin's Creed Shadows: New Game Plus and Level Cap Expansion
The first major update, which will introduce the New Game Plus mode and increase the level cap, will arrive on 29 July. This mode will become available once players finish the main story, allowing them to replay the game either from the beginning or from when the Hideout first unlocks. Players can keep all their gear, skills, and progression from their previous playthrough, making it more engaging to revisit the game.
Also read: Gaming mouse maker infected users with malware for weeks, then quietly replaced files without warning
Alongside New Game Plus, Ubisoft will raise the level cap from 60 to 80 and add new ranks for Knowledge and Mastery skills. The update will also bring new hideout buildings and enhancements to the Forge system. Additionally, the update introduces a third Shadow Project, which acts like a battle pass, offering fresh rewards for players to earn.
Also read: AI voice cloning scam tricks concerned mom into sending ₹12.5 lakh: What you must watch out for
A second update is scheduled for early September and will focus on quality-of-life changes. This includes adding the ability to skip the time of day, unlocking the frame rate limit on PC, and simplifying how players remove the fog of war from the open-world map. These improvements aim to enhance gameplay in preparation for the final update in the summer roadmap.
Also read: Amazon drone delivers more than a package, surprising customers with an unexpected backyard dust storm
Claws of Awaji Expansion Coming in Mid-September
The last update, releasing on September 16, will launch the Claws of Awaji expansion. This expansion will add over ten hours of new story content, a new region to explore, and introduce new weapons, abilities, outfits, and enemies. Players who pre-ordered Assassin's Creed Shadows will receive the Claws of Awaji expansion for free, but they must complete the main story before starting it.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

How Meta, Apple, Amazon & Microsoft Profit From AI While Trump Tariffs Disrupt Trade
How Meta, Apple, Amazon & Microsoft Profit From AI While Trump Tariffs Disrupt Trade

News18

time28 minutes ago

  • News18

How Meta, Apple, Amazon & Microsoft Profit From AI While Trump Tariffs Disrupt Trade

Last Updated: Meta, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft are each leveraging AI differently. But they share a common goal: integrating AI deeply into their ecosystems to future-proof their businesses Artificial intelligence (AI) is rewriting the rules of business, and Big Tech is all in. As the world's largest technology firms double down on AI innovation and deployment, their earnings reflect a stunning transformation in both capability and strategy. Meta, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft—collectively holding trillions in market value — have made AI not just a buzzword, but a profit engine. At the same time, the global economy is entering yet another phase of volatility. With US President Donald Trump's tariff threats, protectionist policies, and global trade disruptions, investors are hedging, central banks are cautious, and industries relying on stable supply chains are bracing for impact. Yet amid all the noise, tech's AI champions are thriving. Here's how. The AI Gold Rush—And Who Is Winning The four tech giants—Meta, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft— are each leveraging AI differently. But they share a common goal: integrating AI deeply into their ecosystems to improve efficiency, increase monetisation, and future-proof their core businesses. Microsoft: The Infrastructure King In its Q2 2025 earnings, Microsoft reported a 19% increase in cloud revenue, with CEO Satya Nadella citing AI workloads as a primary driver. 'Every customer I speak with wants to adopt AI for productivity, security, and innovation," Nadella said on the earnings call. Azure's ability to host large language models, both proprietary and open-source, has made it the go-to platform for enterprise AI. Additionally, Microsoft's integration of AI into Teams, Word, and Excel via Copilot is redefining workplace productivity. Meta: AI As An Attention Engine Meta, once mocked for its metaverse pivot, has rebounded by steering into AI with surprising agility. Its open-source LLaMA models have been widely adopted by researchers and developers, giving Meta outsized influence in the open AI ecosystem. But the real monetisation is happening in advertising. Meta's AI models are now deeply embedded in ad targeting and content recommendations across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. According to Q2 results, AI-driven ad optimisation contributed to a 25% year-over-year growth in ad revenue—a massive leap in a sector once believed to be stagnating. 'We've had a strong quarter both in terms of our business and community," said CEO Mark Zuckerberg. 'I'm excited to build personal superintelligence for everyone in the world." On the consumer front, Meta AI (its assistant) has been rolled out across platforms and even into Ray-Ban smart glasses, further blending AI into daily life. Amazon: Retail, Cloud, and Alexa 2.0 For Amazon, AI plays a dual role—supercharging logistics and defending its cloud dominance. The company reported a 35% jump in quarterly profits as the e-commerce giant said major investments in AI technology are paying off. AWS, Amazon's cloud arm, remains a major profit engine, and its AI services are a growing part of that. From generative AI services for developers to Titan foundation models, Amazon is targeting enterprises that want flexibility without being locked into Microsoft or Google ecosystems. Meanwhile, in e-commerce, AI is streamlining fulfilment, optimising supply chains, and enabling hyper-personalized shopping experiences. Amazon's new-gen Alexa, powered by LLMs, is expected to play a bigger role in smart homes and commerce, though competition remains stiff. As per an AFP report, Amazon's net sales climbed 13%, signalling that the company has so far survived the impacts of Trump's trade policy. AWS led the charge with sales jumping 17.5% to $30.9 billion. Its strong performance reflects surging demand for cloud infrastructure to power AI applications, a trend that has benefited major cloud providers as companies race to adopt generative AI technologies. Apple: Playing The Long Game—Quietly Apple, traditionally more cautious about jumping on technology bandwagons, is finally stepping into AI visibly. At WWDC 2025, Apple Intelligence was unveiled—an ecosystem-wide integration of generative AI across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Unlike its peers, Apple is not building chatbot-like assistants. Instead, it focuses on user-controlled, privacy-conscious AI features like Smart Recap, Writing Tools, and Genmoji. Much of the processing is done on-device or through Apple's private cloud. More importantly, Apple announced partnerships with OpenAI and Anthropic to offer choice in assistant models, a significant shift from its usually walled-garden approach. In fact, Apple beat expectations with earnings driven by strong iPhone sales despite US tariffs costing the company $800 million in the recently-ended quarter. It expects Trump's tariffs to cost the iPhone maker $1.1 billion in the current quarter. Apple's strategy is designed to boost hardware stickiness. iPhone 17 sales spiked 8% post-launch, in part due to AI feature demand. Why The Economic Anxiety Despite AI Boom Trump's Tariffs Shock The World Economy Since taking office in January , Trump has rolled out sweeping tariffs aimed at reducing the US trade deficit and boosting domestic manufacturing. These include a 10% universal tariff on all imports, with higher rates targeting key trading partners: 145% on China, 34% on Taiwan, 26% on India, 25% on Canada and Mexico, and 50% on Brazil, alongside 100% secondary tariffs on countries buying Russian energy. The US Treasury reported $87 billion in tariff revenue through June, with $26.6 billion collected in June alone, reflecting the scale of this policy shift. However, these tariffs have triggered retaliatory measures—Canada's $12 billion, China's $50 billion, and the EU's $100 billion—disrupting $330 billion in US exports and raising consumer prices by 3–5% for goods like clothing and appliances. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects a 0.5% global GDP decline by 2027, with emerging markets like India facing export losses of 2-3%. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq dropped 6% and 16% respectively since January, with Apple, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft losing significant market value. Yet, these firms are leveraging AI to offset these challenges, driving innovation and revenue in a volatile economic landscape. Supply Chains Under Pressure For tech companies, these tariffs threaten supply chains and data centre costs, critical for AI development. Hardware from China and Taiwan, including semiconductors and circuit boards, faces steep duties, potentially increasing data centre construction costs. Apple, for instance, remains heavily reliant on China and Taiwan for iPhone production. Tariffs or sanctions could increase costs or delay shipments. Microsoft's hardware and Amazon's device arms (Kindle, Echo, Fire) also face potential headwinds if tariffs hit Asian manufacturing. Tariffs could delay projects like Stargate, a $500 billion AI data centre venture involving Oracle and SoftBank, by increasing hardware costs. The tech sector's reliance on global supply chains makes it vulnerable, with Nvidia, AMD, and TSMC stocks falling 7–10% after tariff announcements. AI As A Hedge Paradoxically, AI is emerging as a hedge against economic volatility. While traditional sectors brace for tariffs and geopolitical shockwaves, AI-driven efficiencies can lower costs, automate labour, and unlock new revenue streams. Moreover, much of AI development is digital and cloud-based, less affected by physical trade barriers. For companies like Meta and Microsoft, whose revenues rely more on software and services than physical goods, tariffs may have a limited direct impact. What Lies Ahead? Even as the global economy reels from uncertainty around trade, inflation, and leadership transitions, the AI race continues at full throttle. Meta, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft are not just adapting—they are thriving by embedding AI across every layer of their businesses. If tariffs escalate under Trump's administration or other nationalist movements worldwide, tech giants may face higher hardware costs and supply chain headaches. But their deep investment in AI—especially in cloud, enterprise tools, and digital services—positions them to weather the storm better than most industries. top videos View all About the Author Shilpy Bisht Shilpy Bisht, Deputy News Editor at News18, writes and edits national, world and business stories. She started off as a print journalist, and then transitioned to online, in her 12 years of experience. Her More News18 Tech delivers the latest technology updates, including phone launches, gadget reviews, AI advancements, and more. Stay informed with breaking tech news, expert insights, and trends from India and around the world. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : artificial intelligence (AI) Meta Microsoft AI view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 04, 2025, 11:28 IST News tech How Meta, Apple, Amazon & Microsoft Profit From AI While Trump Tariffs Disrupt Trade Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Amazon layoffs: 110 jobs to be cut as part of Wondery podcast studio overhaul
Amazon layoffs: 110 jobs to be cut as part of Wondery podcast studio overhaul

Mint

timean hour ago

  • Mint

Amazon layoffs: 110 jobs to be cut as part of Wondery podcast studio overhaul

is restructuring the Wondery podcast studio by shifting its award-winning narrative podcasts such as "Business Wars" to Audible and consolidating creator-led shows into a new unit, according to a memo seen by Reuters. About 110 employees will be laid off as part of the process, while many Wondery employees will transition to other parts of Amazon, the company said in an emailed statement on Monday. Wondery CEO Jen Sargent will depart the company following a transition period, the memo said. Intense competition in the expensive podcast industry as well as a growing focus on creator-led video content have prompted audio streaming companies including Spotify to diversify their podcasts as they look to lower costs and attract more users to their platforms. "As video podcasting has grown in popularity, we have learned that creator-led, video-integrated shows have different audience needs and require distinct discovery, growth and monetization strategies compared to audio-first, narrative series," Steve Boom, vice president of audio, Twitch and games at Amazon, wrote in the memo. Wondery was acquired by Amazon in 2021 and has seen podcast revenue quadruple since then as the studio expanded its slate to include video podcasts and creator-driven series, according to the memo. Under the new structure, Wondery's narrative podcast studio - home to shows such as "Dr. Death" and "American Scandal" - along with the Wondery subscription service, will move to Audible, the e-commerce giant's audio platform. Its creator-focused podcast team that produces shows including "Mind the Game", "New Heights", and "Armchair Expert" will join a new Creator Services group within Amazon's Talent Services division. This new team will continue to operate the creator-focused podcast studio under the Wondery brand. "By making these changes, we can better support creators in monetizing their content across multiple channels," Amazon said. Bloomberg News first reported on the Wondery overhaul.

Amazon shuts down Wondery podcast studio, lays off employees and asks CEO 'to leave'; read VP's memo to staff
Amazon shuts down Wondery podcast studio, lays off employees and asks CEO 'to leave'; read VP's memo to staff

Time of India

time3 hours ago

  • Time of India

Amazon shuts down Wondery podcast studio, lays off employees and asks CEO 'to leave'; read VP's memo to staff

Amazon is closing its Wondery podcast studio and cutting approximately 110 jobs as part of a major reorganization of its audio business, according to Bloomberg News. The move signals the tech giant's strategic pivot away from its original podcasting ambitions amid industry-wide challenges. Wondery CEO Jen Sargent too will exit the company as existing shows are redistributed between Amazon's Audible platform and a new "creator services" team focused on personality-driven content, including the popular Jason and Travis Kelce podcast. Podcast industry's shift to video format prompted Amazon's move "The podcast landscape has evolved significantly over the past few years," Steve Boom, Amazon's vice president of audio, Twitch and games, wrote in an internal memo viewed by Bloomberg. "The rise of video has also blurred the lines on what it means to be a podcast creator." Amazon purchased Wondery for roughly $300 million in 2020 during the podcast boom, initially allowing it to operate independently with its own subscription app. However, the company struggled to compete effectively with platforms like Spotify and YouTube as the medium evolved. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo "These changes will not only better align our teams as they work to take advantage of the strategic opportunities ahead but, even more crucially, will ensure we have the right structure in place to deliver the very best experience to creators, customers and advertisers," Boom explained in the memo. The Wondery+ subscription service will now report to Audible, while the studio's narrative-driven content, including the popular Dr. Death series , will merge with Audible operations. High-profile talent shows featuring personalities like Dax Shepard will transition to the new creator services team , designed to better leverage sponsorship opportunities across Amazon's broader platform. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store