Microsoft $7.5B video-game deal adds iconic franchises

Flying Fish raising new fund | So long, Nintendo 3DS | Amazon adds Tile to Sidewalk neighborhood wireless network ADVERTISEMENT [GeekWire]( SPONSOR MESSAGE: Become a GeekWire member: [Support independent journalism and join today!]( TODAY'S TOP STORIES Microsoft’s blockbuster video-game deal: The Redmond company’s [$7.5 billion acquisition of Bethesda Softworks’ parent company]( ties with GitHub as the third-largest deal in its history. It also adds a series of iconic game franchises to its first-party portfolio, including The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Wolfenstein, and DOOM. It’s part of a larger effort to bolster the Xbox Game Pass subscription service and the next generation of Xbox consoles. Amazon Sidewalk: The tech giant says tracking technology company Tile will offer a device for Amazon’s upcoming Sidewalk neighborhood wireless network, and Echo devices will serve as network bridges. Amazon also detailed the security and privacy protocols planned for the new network, and explained how the bandwidth sharing will work. [Read more.]( Satya Nadella on the mound: The Microsoft CEO is a big fan of cricket. But on Sunday he wound up for a different sport, [throwing out the virtual first pitch for the Seattle Mariners]( before the team’s game against the San Diego Padres. Flying Fish raising new fund: The Seattle-based venture capital firm formed in 2018 and has invested in more than 15 Pacific Northwest startups out of its first $80 million fund. Flying Fish is one of several newer early-stage venture firms such as Pioneer Square Labs, Madrona Venture Labs, Fuse Venture Partners, and more that are hoping to tap into the dense tech talent base across the region. [Read more](. Why are Seattle leaders fighting their partners? That’s the question posed by WTIA CEO Michael Schutzler [in a guest commentary post]( about a proposed ordinance that would raise wages for Uber and Lyft drivers. So long, Nintendo 3DS: The iconic portable gaming system will be discontinued, ending its life cycle after nine years. [It’s a strange end to a strange ride for the 3DS]( the latest and possibly last of Nintendo’s dedicated handheld gaming devices Thanks for reading, and see all of our latest headlines below. -- GeekWire editor Todd Bishop, [todd@geekwire.com]( and managing editor Taylor Soper, [taylor@geekwire.com.](mailto:taylor@geekwire.com) SPONSOR MESSAGE [The 2020 GeekWire Summit returns October 13-29, with an immersive and content-rich agenda that you will not want to miss!]( The fully virtual 2020 GeekWire Summit will take place over three weeks, allowing attendees to digest the in-depth fireside chats, interactive panels and brainy power talks in consumable bite-sized chunks. 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[Buy Tickets!]( LATEST HEADLINES [Illumina will pay $8B to acquire Grail, the Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos-backed cancer detection company]( [Microsoft vows to replenish more water than it consumes by 2030, in latest sustainability initiative]( [Amazon adds Tile to Sidewalk wireless network; says Echo devices can serve as bridges; explains bandwidth sharing]( [Seattle-based startup investment firm Flying Fish is raising a new fund]( [Microsoft to acquire Elder Scrolls, Fallout, other hit games in $7.5B deal for Bethesda Softworks parent]( SPONSORED: GEEK HOME OF THE DAY [Superior Quality in the Beautiful Laurel Hill Community]( [As Emmy Awards go virtual, HBO bests streaming TV with most wins; Amazon collects four total]( [Nintendo 3DS, 2011-2020: Its strange life, quiet death, and the potential end of a mobile gaming dynasty]( [Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella throws out virtual first pitch for Seattle Mariners — with ‘Halo’ helpers]( [Seeing through smoke: How FLIR’s thermal imaging tech helps assess Oregon’s wildfires from above]( [Week in Review: Most popular stories on GeekWire for the week of Sept. 13, 2020]( [Seattle startup Level sees growth for flexible credit service used by independent contractors]( GEEKWORK: TODAY'S TECH JOBS - [Libro.fm: Senior Android Developer]( - [INRIX: Strategy Analyst]( - [INRIX: Senior Software Development Engineer]( - [INRIX: Backend Developer/Analyst]( - [Libro.fm: Senior iOS Developer]( - [INRIX: Senior Java Data Engineer]( [FIND MORE JOBS ON GEEKWORK]( [HIRING? 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