'Pokemon Scarlet' and 'Violet' sets new Nintendo sales record

Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet aren't just buzzy, but they've also set a new sales record for Nintendo. The games sold 10 million combined units within the first three days of launch, making them account for the "highest global sales level for any software on any Nintendo platform" within that time frame. The sales figure covers both packaged and downloadable versions of the games. For comparison, Pokemon Sword and Shield made over six million units in their first week, which was the fastest-selling Switch title at the time. These numbers were reached even with some glaring technical issues plaguing the new Pokemon games. But it looks like those aren't enough to turn away the fans.

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Amazon greenlit a mini-series based on FTX crypto catastrophe

While we've heard about Apple's supposed plans for an FTX-based film, Amazon has already greenlit a series about FTX and its infamous co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried. Even if the real-world impacts of FTX's crash have yet to settle, Amazon is pushing forward with the mini-series and is working with Anthony and Joe Russo's AGBO production company. Amazon has also tapped Invasion co-creator Dave Weil to executive produce the unnamed eight-episode mini-series. 

The story will detail how Bankman-Fried co-founded FTX and went on to lead the company to a liquidity crisis that resulted in his ousting. There are no actors attached to the project yet, but Amazon is reportedly eyeing some of the actors the Russos worked with in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Specific details for the show's story are reportedly being sourced from "insider reporting" by a "number of journalists." But Amazon hasn't disclosed which journalists or newsrooms it's pulling from, and production is expected to kick off sometime next spring.

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Mercedes locks faster acceleration behind a paywall

Mercedes becomes the latest company to offer subscription services for a feature its cars already have. The carmaker is introducing an "Acceleration Increase" add-on for a yearly subscription of US$1,200. This is expected to improve performance by boosting motor output by 20-24 percent, increasing torque, and shaving around 0.8 to 0.9 seconds off 0-60mph acceleration when in Dynamic drive mode. 

The subscription doesn't come with any physical hardware upgrades. It just unlocks the full capabilities of the vehicle, suggesting Mercedes intentionally limited performance so they can sell this as an extra. The add-on is available for the Mercedes-EQ, EQE, and Mercedes-EQ EQS electric car models. With global sales for new cars falling in recent years, car manufacturers have turned to selling software updates and features as subscriptions to generate a continuous revenue stream after the car's purchase.

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Apple's reportedly in the lead to turn Michael Lewis' book on FTX into a feature film

Apple might be one of the first to turn the story of the collapse of Sam Bankman-Fried's FTX crypto company into a movie. Rumour has it Apple is in the lead for a deal to turn an upcoming Michael Lewis book on Bankman-Fried and his company into a feature film. But it is also facing heavy competition from Netflix and Amazon.

Lewis has previously authored critically acclaimed books that have become notable and award-winning feature films (Moneyball, The Blind Side, and The Big Short). And he has spent the last six months following Bankman-Fried's every move, giving him a close-up look at the collapse of FTX. So, streaming rights are highly sought after. The deal is supposedly set to be valued in the "mid seven-figure range."

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