#94 Tech Talk: “ByteDance’s Gaming Retreat” – Apple & Goldman’s Financial Uncoupling, and The Boys: Mexico Unveiled!

ByteDance’s Gaming Retreat – Apple & Goldman’s Financial Uncoupling, and The Boys: Mexico Unveiled!

Description:

ByteDance, the mastermind behind TikTok, takes a strategic step back in the gaming world, impacting hundreds of employees.

Join us as we unravel the mystery behind Apple and Goldman Sachs’ financial separation, leaving us wondering who will be the next issuer to step into the ring.

And the superhero saga continues with The Boys: Mexico, a new chapter executive-produced by Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal.

It’s a tech and entertainment mashup you didn’t know you needed. Where tech, finance, and superheroes collide!

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EPISODE INTRO

Intro:

What’s going on tech lovers?! Welcome to another exciting Tech Talk episode right here on the LEO podcast, where we explore the world of technology and innovation in a bite-sized, informative, and fun way! I’m your host, Kevin Muñoz and In today’s episode, we’ll be diving into three stories that have been making headlines in the tech world.

Our first story, ByteDance, the mastermind behind TikTok, takes a strategic step back in the gaming world, impacting hundreds of employees.

In our second story, we unravel the mystery behind Apple and Goldman Sachs’ financial separation, leaving us wondering who will be the next issuer to step into the ring.

For our third and final story, we’ll be talking about how the superhero saga continues with The Boys: Mexico, a new chapter executive produced by Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal.

Today is Monday, November 13th,

Now let’s get right into today’s three tech stories on the LEO podcast.

KEY POINTS OF EPISODE

Article #1: TikTok parent ByteDance is set to wind down its Nuverse gaming brand and exit mainstream video games, according to Reuters.

Our first story takes us to the vibrant city of Hong Kong. Reports from Reuters reveal that ByteDance, the creative minds behind the TikTok sensation, is making some strategic moves in the gaming arena. ByteDance is set to wind down its Nuverse gaming brand and take a step back from mainstream video games.

ByteDance stated that after a recent review, they’ve decided to restructure their gaming business. Now, before you grab your pitchforks and storm the digital gates, ByteDance did mention they regularly review their businesses for long-term strategic growth. But, what’s the real deal here? We’ll have to wait for the tea to steep a bit longer because ByteDance isn’t spilling all the details just yet.

The decision seems significant, and it’s not just a minor reshuffling of pixels. ByteDance plans to tell its employees to wrap up work on unreleased games by December. That’s right, it’s game over for some projects in the ByteDance gaming universe. And for those titles that have already taken their first steps into the gaming world, ByteDance is on the lookout for potential suitors to adopt them.

Now, hold on to your headsets, because this move is expected to impact hundreds of ByteDance employees. Imagine getting the memo on a weekend—it’s like a digital rollercoaster, folks! But don’t worry, not all gaming ventures under the ByteDance umbrella are facing the same fate. Casual gaming brand Ohayoo and the TikTok-friendly casual games are reportedly safe from the restructuring storm.

Now, why the sudden shift? According to our sources, ByteDance doesn’t have any plans to dive back into the $185 billion global video games market. It’s like they’ve decided to exit stage left, leaving the spotlight to others. In the midst of all this, reports earlier this month spilled the beans on ByteDance looking for potential buyers for Moonton Technology, a game-developing subsidiary.

It seems ByteDance is decluttering its gaming portfolio, not just stopping at Nuverse. They also changed their virtual reality company, Pico, by giving its content team a virtual pink slip.

Now, let’s rewind a bit to 2019. ByteDance introduced Nuverse, a move seen as a heavyweight contender against gaming giant Tencent Holdings. But Nuverse’s journey has been a bit rocky. “Marvel Snap,” their most recognizable game, gained a cult following but missed the commercial bullseye.

So, what’s the takeaway here? ByteDance’s venture into global gaming might not have been the blockbuster they envisioned. But hey, in the world of tech, it’s all about evolution and adapting to the digital dancefloor.

That wraps up our first article for today. ByteDance is reshaping its gaming destiny, and we’ll keep you posted on how this digital drama unfolds.

Article #2: Apple Pulls Plug on Goldman Credit-Card Partnership

For our second story of the day, it’s a tale of high-profile partnerships, broken dreams, and the ever-evolving landscape of consumer finance. Get ready for the scoop on Apple and Goldman Sachs calling it quits.

In a surprising turn of events, Apple has decided to pull the plug on its credit-card partnership with Goldman Sachs—the red down-pointing triangle meets the green up-pointing triangle in a financial farewell. The proposal to end the contract was reportedly sent by Apple to Goldman, aiming for an exit within the next 12 to 15 months.

This marks a swift about-face for a program that, just over a year ago, had its lifespan extended through 2029. It was meant to be a cornerstone of Goldman’s ambitions to expand into consumer lending. But, as the saying goes, not every love story has a happy ending. Goldman faced financial setbacks trying to build a full-service consumer operation, and the retreat began around the end of last year.

So what’s on the horizon for Apple and Goldman’s credit-card lovechild? Well, the move leaves us with a cliffhanger—it’s unclear if Apple has a new issuer lined up for the card.

Now, who could be the knight in shining armor to rescue this digital damsel in distress? Rumor has it that American Express and Synchrony Financial might be donning their capes. American Express has had discussions with Goldman about taking over the program, but it seems they’ve got a few concerns, including the program’s loss rates.

Meanwhile, Synchrony Financial, the heavyweight of store credit cards in the U.S., has also expressed interest. They’ve been trying to cozy up to tech companies for years, counting Amazon and PayPal among their card partners. So will Synchrony be the one to pick up the torch?

Now, for Apple, this breakup is a bit of a setback in the services business. With iPhone sales slowing down, Apple has increasingly relied on services, and the Goldman partnership played its part. But fear not, Apple’s services revenue advanced about 16% in the September quarter.

As for Goldman, this marks a step back from the failed experiment of diversifying beyond their traditional client base. They’re retreating to focus on their core clients—big corporate players and the ultrarich.

Now, the Apple-Goldman relationship wasn’t always a smooth ride. From ads claiming the card wasn’t from a bank to Apple insisting on unique billing practices, it’s been a rollercoaster. Some even privately blame Apple for the regulatory scrutiny Goldman has faced.

With the breakup, Goldman is now figuring out how to keep its credit-card employees engaged until the Apple account moves. They’re offering incentives, like one year of compensation if jobs are eliminated. It’s like the aftermath of a breakup—sorting out belongings and divvying up the friends.

And that’s a wrap for our second article! Apple and Goldman Sachs, a tale of love, loss, and the ever-evolving world of consumer finance.

Article #3: ‘The Boys: Mexico’ Spinoff

And now, folks, it’s time for our third and final article, taking us into the wild and expanding universe of… The Boys! Get ready for The Boys: Mexico, the latest addition to the superhero saga. Hold on to your capes and let’s dive in!

The Boys universe is about to get a spicy twist with The Boys: Mexico, a new series born from the creative minds of Blue Beetle writer Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer. Exclusive sources have spilled the beans that none other than Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal are set to executive produce this exciting offshoot. And get this, they might even grace us with their acting prowess—though not in major roles, just enough to sprinkle a bit of star power.

The premise of The Boys: Mexico is currently under wraps, shrouded in mystery like a superhero in disguise. But, fear not, the creative wheels are in motion. Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, the brains behind this operation, is busy crafting the script, and a search is on for a co-showrunner to join the superhero party.

Picture this: The Boys: Mexico, shot in the vibrant landscape of Latin America. The team is crunching numbers, working on budgets, and gearing up for production. As of now, the casting curtain has yet to rise, leaving us all on the edge of our seats with anticipation.

Now, for those unfamiliar with The Boys, it’s a rollicking take on what happens when superheroes go rogue. Think celebrities, politicians, and gods, all rolled into one, but with a not-so-heroic twist. The Boys, our vigilante heroes, are on a mission to expose the truth about the corrupt superheroes and the shadowy conglomerate that pulls their strings.

The Boys franchise has been a smash hit, and it’s not slowing down. Season 4 is on the horizon, and two spinoff series have already graced our screens in 2023: the animated The Boys Presents: Diabolical and the college-set spinoff Gen V.

Now, let’s talk about Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, the maestro behind The Boys: Mexico. He’s not a stranger to superhero realms, as mentioned previously having worked on the screenplay for Blue Beetle and other notable projects. This rising star from Queretaro, Mexico, is making waves in the entertainment world.

And, of course, we can’t forget the dynamic duo of Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal, seasoned actors and longtime friends. Their collaboration dates back to the hit 2001 Spanish-language feature Y Tu Mamá También, and now, they’re flexing their producing muscles under their banner, La Corriente del Golfo.

As we eagerly await more details on The Boys: Mexico, it’s clear that this superhero universe knows no bounds. Diego Luna’s recent venture into the Star Wars universe and García Bernal’s portrayal of a gay wrestler in Cassandro showcase their versatility and star power.

And that concludes our journey into The Boys: Mexico. We’ll be sure to keep our eyes peeled for any updates on this superhero spectacle so we can update you all right away right here on the LEO Podcast Tech Episode.

CLOSING REMARKS & EPISODE SUMMARY

Episode summary:

Today’s episode is a rollercoaster of tech twists and turns. We kicked off with ByteDance, the creative minds behind TikTok, making strategic moves in the gaming world. Nuverse, their gaming brand, is hitting pause, impacting hundreds of employees. What’s the future of ByteDance in the gaming universe? Stay tuned for updates on this digital dance!

Then, we shifted gears to the world of finance, where Apple and Goldman Sachs are parting ways in their credit-card partnership. The once-promising alliance is coming to an end, leaving us wondering who will be the next issuer to step into the ring. It’s a financial breakup that could reshape Apple’s services business. Intrigued? So are we!

And in our grand finale, we soared into the superhero universe with The Boys: Mexico. Blue Beetle writer Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer is expanding The Boys universe, with Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal joining the executive producer ranks. The Boys: Mexico, shot in the vibrant landscape of Latin America, is a mystery shrouded in anticipation. Will our favorite vigilantes face new challenges south of the border? The adventure begins!

It’s been a wild ride through the tech, finance, and superhero realms today. ByteDance’s gaming retreat, Apple and Goldman’s financial uncoupling, and The Boys: Mexico joining the superhero saga—it’s a tech and entertainment mashup you didn’t know you needed.

As we wrap up this episode, remember to stay tuned for updates on ByteDance’s gaming journey, the aftermath of Apple and Goldman’s financial separation, and the unfolding superhero spectacle in The Boys: Mexico. The tech world is ever-evolving, and we’re here to keep you in the loop.

Closing Remarks:

And that’s all for today on the LEO podcast Tech Talk. I hope you enjoyed it and learned something new. If you did, please leave us a rating and a review on your favorite podcast app. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss any future episodes. As always feel free to send me a voicemail through my website latinamerianeo.org by simply clicking the purple “send voicemail” popup and just start recording your thoughts or any interesting topic that you’d like to see covered and I might just feature it on the next episode!

and for those of you on Patreon, I’ll see you there.

Otherwise, I’ll see you all in next week’s episode!